As we celebrate International Women’s Day, there is an urgent need for rigorous efforts to support women (and girls) in today’s technological, social, and digital era. The need for women’s empowerment cannot be understated. Wikipedia defines a woman as any female human, or an adult female human compared to a girl. It is vital to tacitly convey the importance of this day to women, girls, and everyone, which calls for action.
This year’s team is “accelerating action, “which emphasises the urgency of advocating for gender equality. International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually and globally on March 8 to honour, appreciate, or recommend women’s achievements. This calls for swiftness in utilising imperative actions and measures to address barriers and biases affecting women in various spheres of the world. It calls for implementing effective strategies to amplify women’s voices, schemes, and efforts towards improvement.
There are many factors affecting women and girls today. One of the prevalent maladies is gender-based inequalities. Divergent approaches are crucial to sorting out this matter. Gender inequalities erupt when people are treated differently based on their gender. It is rooted in sexism and gender discrimination, among other causes. It presents itself as a disaster as it can affect women’s health, both (mental and psychological health), educational programs and business opportunities, to mention but a few. Researchers have found that there are higher rates of health and social problems, low rates of social goods, birth lower population, wide satisfaction and happiness and even a lower level of economic growth when human capital is neglected for high-end consumption. It should be noted that women and girls account copiously for human capital.
As this year’s theme calls for accelerated action, it should be noted that prompt approaches are crucial to curtail the issue of gender-based violence not only in Kenya but globally. Health campaigns and voluntary support groups are critical in addressing and giving related support required to mitigate diseases such as HIV and AIDS, teen-related pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections, among others. Women and girls must explore and influence a culture of education. This suggests that proper education should be offered to women and girls conveniently.
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Women must globally or nationally unite and collaboratively work together towards ending all forms of domestic violence by ensuring that women’s rights are observed. Domestic violence is just to mention but an encompassment of intimate partner violence, which is more prevalent in Kenya.
A thesis by Dr Charles Wagunda, a lecturer at the communication, journalism and media studies department at Rongo University Migori County, on the representation of intimate personal violence, which is an analysis of mains stream newspapers in Kenya (2016 to 2020), points out that representation of all sorts of violence; gender, domestic, intimate violence is key as a way of addressing what women go through. Notably, rights and freedoms, equality, and empowerment should be addressed for all women and girls. Proper channels and support are essential in addressing challenges encountered by women and girls.
Prompt presentation in both print and press media may serve to educate not only women but the public on what is to be done in case of any form of violence or abuse to women and girls. We cannot evade addressing the issue of male dominance in some communities in Kenya. Gone are the days when women and girls were abused in the name of the superiority of men. Male dominance threatens the well-being of girls and women. International Women’s Day sticks to campaigning for the rights and freedoms of women in all societies globally. This should be a way of ensuring effective communication about problems that women face with relevant authorities.
Whether government or non-profit (public or private), various organisations should step forward and utilise actions in their campaigns for advocacy, education, support, and understanding of women and girls. These activities may include creating active, creative and artistic talent for girls and women, forging women’s economic empowerment plans and goals, and supporting women and girls in leadership, decision-making, business and STEM, among others. It is vital to involve women and girls in sustainable agriculture and food security programs, designing an infrastructure that meets the needs of women not only in this prestigious day but also forever.
The government and all arms of the law should not be left behind. It should ensure that all women are treated fairly- failure to which the person responsible for any form of violation of women’s and girls’ rights is held accountable as the law suggests. The government must fund and support women’s initiatives, offering financial literacy to ensure their continuity. More education should be instilled in the public, providing a culture of dimensional knowledge for both women and girls and the public. It should implement more laudable measures and a precise set of rules and guidelines to ensure all women and girls thrive and their growth is evident.
By incorporating these and other measures, we can create a positive environment for women, enabling their empowerment, advocating for their needs, and prioritising their health. Addressing the challenges faced and providing the correct solutions will create a sound culture of positivism for a better future for women’s and girls’ empowerment.
In conclusion, accelerated action is greatly needed in the representation of women and girls in the media and society, outlining their achievements and support by the government. It is a collective responsibility for us all to fathom the factors leading to women’s gender-based violence and their challenges, adhere to providing working solutions, and profusely ensure that women are treated fairly.
Tonny Kyule, Rongo University, Migori County
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