Hello Woman,

Happy New Year to you!!!

As we begin another year and decade, I believe I need to say this. It is something I have wanted to say for a very long time, and what better time to share it but now, when we are still all fresh into a new chapter of our lives.

In the recent years, there have been several attempts to empower women, so much so that the boy child has now felt ‘threatened’ by this and sadly, as time goes, the boy child seems to be forgotten. In this process of women empowerment however, there have been instances where girls and women have been told that they need to be like men. This is where the whole idea of this article emerges. I do not have any problem with women empowerment, as a matter of fact, it makes me proud to see very successful women who have beaten all odds to become the best in their respective fields. I, for instance understand that it is not always easy for a woman because naturally, we live in a man’s world.

None the less, a woman does not need to become or behave like a man in order to earn respect or achieve success in their life. In simple translation, what you are basically telling her is that she is not good enough being the person God created her to be. It is like constantly telling your daughter, ‘why don’t you be like your brother?’ or ‘why can’t you do things the way your brother does?’. Fact is, no woman can be a man and vice versa, and your daughter can and will never be like her brother and any attempts to make her any different will only put unnecessary pressures on her. The results might not be what you had anticipated.

Biblically speaking, God created a man and charged him with the responsibility of being the head of the family. Responsibility comes with accountability though, but this is a story for another time. My point is, as a woman, you are good enough being a woman. If God wanted you to be a man, He would have created you as one. Each gender is unique on it’s own and I believe that the whole idea of women empowerment should be about embracing who we are and working on becoming the best version of that inspite of all odds. Women have natural abilities that men do not have and that sets them apart. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a woman and you must stop expecting preferential or special treatment just because you are of a particular gender.

Women empowerment is and should not be a competition over which gender is more superior than the other but on building women to embrace their femininity and have them rise above the challenges they face daily in an attempt to be the very best in their respective areas. As a woman, you can choose any course or career you wish, work hard at it and succeed. You can join any sport you wish and excel in it. Each time I tell someone that I am a Karateka, the next question is, ‘why are you trying to be like a man?’ The fact is that that’s not my intention, I simply love a Sport that most people think should only be for men. No amount of education or empowerment will ever turn a woman into a man and vice versa. Let’s all embrace who we are, nurture that and be the best versions of ourselves.

Woman, you are beautiful; wonderfully and fearfully made. You are unique, strong and capable just the way you are. You have a purpose on this life so go out, seek it and fulfill it. Happy New Year!!!