Dear Editor,
Each International Women’s Day there is a theme which guides our thinking and causes us to pause for reflection on what the status of women is as people and in our society. This year it is “give to gain”.
It is undeniable that women have proved their worth in our society in the execution of their responsibilities as primary nurturers/mothers and carers. Further, in the teaching and nursing professions as well as functioning as professionals in areas such as law, banking, medicine with its varied specialisations, and trade vocations originally designated for men such as welding and operation of heavy-duty machinery, as electricians, plumbers, and so many others.
The theme for International Women’s Day 2026 is “give to gain”. This theme may be interpreted in a myriad of ways. The Association, however, chooses to do so in the context of women and girls.
The girl child is the woman of tomorrow and ought to be the recipient of as much exposure to their rights as children and to the rights of women in specific contexts. With respect to the latter, our women of tomorrow must be given education on matters such as child abuse and domestic violence; gender equality; and the importance of demanding respect from males and everyone else in order to develop confidence and self-esteem.
When given such knowledge and information at an early age, they gain what will come to be critical in their adult life. From the perspective of women, the path their lives take primarily depends on socialisation in the home, education and experiences. Negative experiences such as abuse in the home as a child will in adulthood translate to similar circumstances if they have not been alerted to the ways to combat what could become a vicious cycle – i.e., a victim of domestic violence or other negative experiences translates to a similar scenario in adulthood and impacts choices made.
The point that is being made is that women must be given support and the tools to be productive citizens in all respects. Women must be treated with respect, must not be discriminated against at home, in the workplace or anywhere else, must not be regarded as bodies for physical, emotional and mental abuse and must, in general, be given all that is due to them. In turn, the home, schools, workplaces and society as a whole will gain. As stated earlier, the contribution of women cannot be denied. Take the woman out of the equation in the functioning of a society, and the imbalance and deficiencies in our society would be readily seen.
Accordingly, let us show our appreciation for our women and girls in all spheres, not only by giving kudos on International Women’s Day but also always with tangible actions which are positive in raising them up and not tearing them down.
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!!