INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY -FROM NAC PRESIDENT

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2017
- #BE BOLD FOR CHANGE
A MESSAGE FROM BRIGHT-BRUCE ACQUAYE
PRESIDENT, NEW AFRICAN CHAPTER INT’L

The #IWD, celebrated on the 8th of March every year, gives us all the opportunity to celebrate Womanhood, to appreciate the struggles of the Woman and also celebrate how far she has come in the fight for equality, freedom for expression and the right to a fulfilled living. Today, New African Chapter joins the rest of the World to celebrate the Social, Economic, Cultural and Political Achievements of Women all over the World and especially our African Women.
The world-renowned feminist, journalist, social and political activist, Gloria Steinem once said, “The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights,"  Thus, the International Women's Day is about Unity, Celebration, Reflection, Advocacy and Action.
The years have gone by, and women have soldiered on in the struggle for equality and dignity of life. This year’s theme "Be Bold for Change" further endorses the need for women to keep redefining themselves in the society. It endorses the need for women everywhere to see themselves as change-makers and to begin to make greater impact in the society.  It is a call for women across the world to believe in themselves; to be motivated to stand strong and courageous in securing the rights of the Woman.
For quite long a period, the female gender has been underestimated, mistreated, denied and looked down upon. Should it continue?  Haven't the female gender suffered enough suppression in the society?  The African woman has particularly suffered the most. She has been a victim of female genital mutilation (FGM) child marriage, Trokosi (where young girls are given to fetish shrines), forced under threat of death to live as domestic and sex slaves, Lip plate (girls and women in parts of Ethiopia wear lip plates for protection and marriageability. In some cases, the hole is so big that it can pass through the head of the woman) and etc.
Some men still erroneously think that the African woman's place is the bedroom and kitchen, and many of our women have come to believe and accept this as truth. Well, the truth is that several of our women have distinguished themselves and have been seen to bring more to the table other than sex and food.   In politics, we have Her Excellency Sirleaf Johnson of Liberia and Alengot Oromait of Uganda. In the movie industry, we have Lupita Nyong'o. In Economics, we have Dambisa Moyo of Zambia. In business and commerce we have Mo Abudu and  Folorunsho Alakija both from Nigeria Divine Ndhlukuka, Founder and Managing Director of Zimbabwe's first ISO certified Security Company, SECURICO. The list can go on and on but time and space will only permit me to mention this few.
As we celebrate the Woman today, we ask everyone to place their hands on deck to promote the education of the African girl-child who will grow up to become the African Woman. Let’s all help stop the traditional practices that belittle Africa Womanhood. Above all, let us all believe in the African woman's capability to become all that she can be and to make a difference in her world.
To all the women, we say, “Stand to lead in technology. Be as creative as you can be. Invent. Innovate.  Do away with self doubt; you have gone through trying times, now is the time to dream and soar and live your dreams.  It is time to create wealth through your own hands, and celebrate your own achievements. It is a good time to celebrate that which has already been achieved, and then strive harder to achieve more.”
 It is an honor to be a woman. Today, New African Chapter joins the rest of the world to celebrate the beauty, strength and uniqueness of the Woman and we say to her, go ahead and #beboldforchange.
 - #womensday - #IWD2017 - #internationalwomensday -#NAC4Africa