What is on my mind today?… Women + Girls + Africa June 5, 2011

Is change truly change when it is the product of an organic growth process? When progressing through a transition is necessary, I am always puzzled by people who resist it. Is not part of life growth and change?  If one refuses to be part of the process, then I believe life becomes passive living. I think life would be quite boring. Life can be an evolution towards a greater self. We learn and integrate new experiences into our perceptions and understanding. My view of Africa’s potential parallels this same thought structure – a tabula rasa or blank slate – endless immense opportunities.

 Every time I have conversations with amazing African kinfolk I redouble my efforts on the Threads of Our Fabric Project. The TOF Project enables and empowers African women and girls to share their culture, identity, and unique selves through media. There has been an increase in the use of multimedia to present realistic solutions and raise awareness about various societal issues. USAID, recently celebrated its 50^th anniversary with an infographic on “Why invest in women?” a topic that is forever near and dear to my heart.  I really enjoyed the graphic representation of some of the hard truths in women and girl’s lives. It saddens my heart when I see others in more developed countries unconcerned about some of these issues affecting their peers worldwide.

Please take a moment, not more than 5-10mins to go through this infographic and may it stir you within to pick a cause greater than you that you can champion. There are many lives dependent on you to support them and ensure their future. Time, money, and skills…pick one and invest in a woman or girl. Bring a welcomed positive change in the lives of women and girls who are desperately in need of something different, something other than the status quo.

USAID 50th Anniversary: Why Invest in Women?

Women: Undervalued, Untapped, and Unaccounted for… April 21, 2011

Women often contribute to the world in many ways – mothering, beauty, nurturing, passion, sensitivity, intuitiveness, resourcefulness – which are oftentimes perceived as insignificant in the eyes of some. Women are continuously lost in the shadows without a voice to express their stance on issues that profoundly affect their lives. Women are also disproportionally affected by many of the world’s burdens today such as poverty, maternal mortality, HIV, war, and illiteracy.

 

The plight of women…undervalued, untapped, and unaccounted for…so what?

 

There is always hope…light that stands strong when darkness surrounds and threatens to overwhelm…Hope always remains…

Countless enties such as the USAID (United States Agency for Internationa Development),  International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), The Coalition for Adolescent Girls, CARE, UNFP (UN Population Fund), and PSI (Population Services International) stress the importance of investing in women, empowering them, and providing opportunities for self-development and financial sustainability as the surest methods to alleviate some of the problems in the world today.

Additonally, there are women who in simple yet powerful ways have taken on the responsibility of safeguarding the future livelihood of many women and girls. For example, I came across this blog today, Shakesville that shared a photojournal chronicling many women farmers globally, who are contributing towards alleviating the world’s hunger in their communities. According to Dorothy Okello, Director of the Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET), “approximately 85% of farmers in Africa are women”, yet sub-sahara Africa has a huge proportion of undernourished people. Why? Well for starters most of these women are subsistence farmers..tilling land and growing crops to feed a family and some to sell to purchase other household goods. According to Rebeca Grynspan, (United Nations Development Program Under-Secretary General and Associate Administrator) “Even talking only about the rural areas, women produce 50 percent of the food of the world. They receive only 1 percent of the credit but they produce 50 percent of the food.” I wonder what would happen if these women had access to resources, information, and entrepeneurial skills that will exponentially increase their output and elevate the income levels of their families.

How is the Threads of Our Fabric Project adding its strength to these efforts?…

 

 

As a woman, I believe that our greatest contribution to the world is our whole “Self”. We are gifted with innate qualities that are needed, important, and necessary to the vitality of societies and the entire world. When we are connected to our inner qualities that are “heart”-based, we can fully live from our complete potential. This is one of the many reasons why I created the Threads of Our Fabric Project, seeking to bridge the gap and share the feminine wisdom of influential successful African women with other African women and girls who have begun or are still contemplating beginning their unique journeys towards “Self” discovery. 

 

The Threads of Our Fabric Project will be helping African women in Ohio honor the many women who are often unrecognized, yet significantly affect the development of strong, confident, courageous, and amazing African women.

Mothers Day Contest - OHIO

 

On May 7th, 2011, the Threads of Our Fabric Project in partnership with Mimi 4 Christ, will be hosting a Mother’s Day reception for African mothers and daughters. We want to honor the many women who silently and selflessly give so much daily to raise and support families. A contest is currently being held and finalists will get the opportunity to be celebrated for being a “Sweet African Mother”.

The process is simple –

Tell us why you think your mother is AWESOME and we take care of the rest… GOOD LUCK!!!

 

**NOTE: If you are not in OHIO visit the African Girl Development in the U.S. Facebook Page for information on how to participate in weekly contest Mother’s Day gifts delivered within the continental U.S.

BONNE CHANCE!!!