PATRIARCHY!!! Where Is Thy Sting?

Living in a world that is fast moving towards women’s empowerment and emancipation and where women are seen as a vital part of the society, patriarchy is fast headed for premature death. Patriarchy is on the verge of elimination because everyone (men especially) are  now coming to the understanding that all humans are born with potentials as such they have to be given the opportunity to explore them and make the world a better place.

In present day Africa and Cameroon in particular, women’s voices are being heard as they now have gained grounds and gone far in the world of education. Some prominent women include: Anne Nsang Quan (UN Women), Prof. Joyce Endeley (University of Buea) and Dr. Niger-Thomas (HOD Gender Department); these women among others are bringing change to the society as they take the lead to ensure that women become active participants and not passive recipients in development.

Culture had been and is still a barrier to women’s education within Africa. Most if not all cultures in the past prohibited women from going to school because it was the “law” that all women be groomed for marriage but because the world has seen the potentials women possess; there is the desire to send girls to school. Muslim women/girls in Cameroon were the most illiterate because their representation in the educational milieu has always been very low but in recent years you find them at all levels within the academic sphere up to the point where the Minister of Basic Education in Cameroon is a Muslim female under the name Mme Youssouf nee Adidja Alim.

Underpinning the hold of patriarchy; women have managed to emerge victorious in the political sphere as there now exists female political leaders just like in the past where most societies were ruled by women (Africa in particular). Amongst these prominent are H.E Mrs. Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, Angela Merkel (German Chancellor), Marie-Theresse Abena (Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family), Mme Ama Tutu Muna (Minister of Culture), Hilary Clinton and Condoliza Rice.

My dear WOMEN!! We have achieved a lot but we can’t end here we have got to move to the top of the ladder so much so that our full capabilities can be tacit and treasured.

About the Author of This Article

Mamuwa Ruth Meoto is a Volunteer with OGCEYOD Cameroon occupying the position of an Administrative Assistant /Gender Counselor  I love working with women because we face a lot of challenges out there and some people still think we are sub-humans. I just like putting smiles on the faces women. You can visit her blog or join her on Facebook