Various Woman’s Day celebrations appeared in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, UK and USA in the early 1900’s with keen focus on the Suffrage Movement. Stalwarts such as Emmeline Pankhurst, mother of historian Richard Pankhurst, was amongst other forerunners, who was inspired by her experience as an art student. During her 1904-06 time at the Royal College of Art, she “witnessed gender inequality in the art profession” which set fire to the fledgling artist who would use her artistic skills to create logos, posters and other ephemera promoting the message of the movement. The United Nations recognized March 8th officially in 1977 and an annual theme is circulated for public/private sectors and the general public to commemorate through programs, art exhibitions, films, and special events for both the day and month of March.
The IWD theme for 2022 is ” ‘breaking the bias’ … working towards a world free of stereotypes and discrimination that is diverse, equitable and inclusive.” What does this year’s theme mean for African women based on history and current affairs? In the pre-colonial era African women, such as Ethiopia’s Queen Saba and Angola’s Nzingah, enjoyed roles as monarchs, healers, warriors and more. “Equitable and inclusive” was the order of the day. Fast forward to the 21st century, equitable inclusivity “free of stereotypes” are proffered with little regard or interrogation into the colonial infrastructure, established to maintain misogynistic capitalist systems which impact African women immensely. As with this and other international days, should Africans jump blindly on the bandwagon or use it as a platform to present agendas expressing African women’s concerns, in the case of IWD.
Just days before this significant celebration of women worldwide, the double standards set for women of European and African ancestry has been flaunted in the face of the world. Main Stream Media (MSM) rears its ugly head, AGAIN, reporting on Ukraine and the Russian military invasion in the most insulting and devaluing manner to Africans. While Ukrainian women and children were shepherded to safety from bombs and bullets, African women and children were denied access to safe transportation, bomb shelters and border crossings. MSM described these “civilized Europeans…blonde haired and blue eyed (women) and children being killed…” whilst emphasizing “…this is Europe, not like Africa…”. Is the message because conflicts are the norm in Africa, African women and children need not be provided for? Radio silence from women’s groups is deafening. An ambiguous note from Ms. E. Tendayi Achiume, UN Expert with UN Human Office of the High Commissioner released on March 3rd sums up her sentiments and sends a coded message that she does not speak for the UN. “…I have joined other independent experts to call attention specifically to the discriminatory treatment of people of African Descent and others.” That’s it!
No surprise here as the UN, Europe and other allies have treated Ethiopia ‘stereotypically’ with little to no value for the countless lives of women and children lost over the past 16 months. Self-determination, (kugichalia in Swahili) however, led Ethiopian women to rule, fight and serve this nation from time immemorial to present, proudly. A recent homage to the Ethiopian woman and her role in the production of wealth was realized in the approximately 10 meter-high brass statue gracing the entrance of the 49 story Commercial Bank building. Designed by well-known Professor/Artist Bekele Mekonnen, administered by Curator Mifta Zeleke (with a team of numerous artist) the statue, “Habt kaleh besimai menged alle” loosely translated in English, “If you are rich, there is a road in sky…” was unveiled. According to Prof. Bekele, “The statue represents the truth of a society, where the woman is the center of the family… they not only produce but manage…through proper use of reproduction, the constitution of wealth is realized. The woman ready to fly is standing on the point of a diamond which speaks to the (piercing) pain women go through…while the preciousness of a woman is aesthetically portrayed with aerodynamics seen in her clothing and hair flying in the wind.” He goes on to say, “…reproducing positively is not encouraged…poverty is romanticized, though we should not abuse wealth.” The latter was a significant point in Prof. Bekele’s answer to my question, what was the message of this statue to and about women and girls.
Frankly, as Ethiopia incorporates art into public spaces, serious consideration must be given to themes, messages and imagery, especially in regard to how women are depicted. Though art is subjective and this and other statues will feed debates on a range of related topics, priority should be given to women in art. This means supporting Ethiopian women, their aspirations and agendas; integrating their visions of identity, values and systems held dear. This goes beyond mercantile interests, focusing on family, community and country development; security, health and legal rights from land ownership to other forms of wealth. IWD 2022 should be promoted in Ethiopian with a clear consciousness towards recognition of our rich history, current roles and future positions in important decision-making seats across sectors.
Dr. Desta Meghoo is a Jamaican born
Creative Consultant, Curator and cultural promoter based in Ethiopia since 2005. She also serves as Liaison to the AU for the Ghana based, Diaspora African Forum.
