Her Thoughts

More often than not, conversations about equality start off as just that-conversations- but speedily escalate to debates. I would know, I have been in many of those. Those against the equality agenda turn the debate into an English lesion trying to argue out what equality and equity really means and how equity is what we should seek instead of equality. Whilst there may be point to their opinion, it is the way they fight equality that makes void their whole point.  According to many, equality is the enemy. Well then, let’s get into some English lesson then and let us understand better what these two words really mean: Equity - Justice, impartiality or fairness. Equality -The equal treatment of people irrespective of social or cultural differences.  - The fact of being equal, of having the same value. After that brief English lesson up there, we can all agree, both equity and equality are noble pursuits that all humans should be involved in. They that advocate for e...

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." -Romans 12:18. Paul in one of his letters recommends amicable ways of solving conflict among believers. But if peace is not reached and it comes that we must fight, if this be our only resort, then let the fight be fair and let rules apply equally. That aside, the law of the land also provides for ways to resolve or follow in cases of conflict. Companies and every other institution have conflict resolution procedures as well.These resolution methods have been in place for years, they’ve been refined and reconstituted to fit particular times and institutions. One thing however, there have been cases where women have gotten hurt even when these methods were to help/protect them. We have seen cases where the victim being a woman ended up more hurt than she was by the actual event that led to the conflict. We have seen cases of sexual harassment at work places leave women jobless even after winning...

Over the years, the good, the bad and the beautiful have been associated with women. A beautiful car is likely to be given a woman’s name. Hurricanes that destroy things are often named after women. People in their good times tend to name things after women too. Over the years, we have also seen weakness being associated with women. We have seen people insult others using a woman in their insult, this is wrong. You will hear someone say, “you punch like a girl”, to mean your punch is weak. Some will also say, “Come and face me like a man” to mean with boldness. It insinuates men have a “better/bolder” way of dealing with issues. All the above insinuate that women are weaker than men. One would be right to say such language has been detrimental to the feminism agenda of fighting for equality. Such language only appeals to patriarchy. In my country-Kenya- we have seen this language being used over and over by public figures. They use women to “spice up” their insults. You will he...

Am at my local movie shop getting something to watch then this guy,a friend of my movie guy comes and starts talking. At first he is complaining how his landlord cannot wait till 10th for rent.He owns a business right across the movie shop and can see the landlady near his shop and he seems to know what she is there for. At this point am just going through the movie list as I wait for my flash disk to be updated. Then the conversation takes a turn. The guy tells my movie guy, " Kevo usiwai oa! Ningejua singeoa aki. Ona kama sasa nimeanza kupata ‘kihara’ na vile mimi ni mchanga ". (Kevo, never marry! If i knew i would not have married. I have started getting bald now yet am a young man). I try hard not to burst into laughter but my movie guy is up in stitches and he makes me laugh out loud as well. Kevo asks him, " Kwani ni nini boss?"  (What's up man?). The guy goes on to say, the wife told him a few days ago that she is pregnant. At this point I have the ...

There is this meme on social media that talks of how men lie and how it is possible Eve did not even eat the fruit at the garden of Eden and probably Adam did and lied about it considering it is him with left over evidence of an Adam’s apple down his throat.  The other day a local TV station ran a story of Wangu Wa Makeri and turns out all I was taught about her is pure lies. Turns out she was a firm leader and not that she actually sat on men’s back. She would not be intimidated and was hell bent to do what she thought was right, something that did not rub well with many men. This is not the history me and most people read about her. If anything, we grew up ridiculing her methods and being told not to be like her, a woman should be humble. It is also such narratives that have left women struggling in their positions of power and further cementing the theory that women are not leaders. When she is bold and firm on her decisions, she is a Wangu wa Makeri in the office, “anakal...

Today seems befitting to illuminate certain matters women have been pushing for over the years, it's International Women's Day. The one day when people pay actual attention to these things as you will find they are the only thing trending.  Whilst we be pushing for equality, I have been in conversations with people who believe this is a little too far fetched and will never be achieved. They think this part of the feminist agenda is a move by rebellious women who seem not to understand their place in this life. That equality is about making women like men. By now am sure you have probably heard such conversations.  The great musician, Seal in one of great hits sings of "A change is gonna come". In the lyrics he sings, I was born by the river  In a little tent And just like the river I've been runnin' ever since It's been a long time comin' But I know my change is gonna come, oh yeah These words could never resonate better. ...

Hi and welcome to my new blog, Her Thoughts . As many of you will agree, am passionate about women empowerment and the push for equality and thus I decided to create this blog and share my thoughts and take on matters around this and beyond. We will also talk politics here and other matters facing our country and the world at large. Feel free to comment. We will agree, we will dis-agree but in the end, I hope we learn,listen to each other and become better. To beautiful interactions ahead,               The writer.