Recognizing Women's Contributions: A Brief History of Women's History Month

What is Women’s History Month? It is an annual month-long celebration that recognizes and highlights the important contributions that women have made to historical events and contemporary society.

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From the 1st to the 31st of March every year we commemorate Women’s History Month which is a milestone celebration and acknowledgement of phenomenal women. These women are often unsung heroes of many watershed events that change the trajectory of nations. The marginalization is mainly because gender equality wasn’t as important then as it is today but inspite of this their contributions are just too significant and mind blowing to ignore.Traditionally March is the month to celebrate women’s milestones and their extraordinary achievements and roles in all spheres of society. It is a month to call for gender equality.

In this blog entry I wish to highlight and salute some of the most notable social justice movements led by African women on the African continent that stood out to me.

1. Women’s war of 1929 in Nigeria

"By taking their grievances to the streets, the women had challenged not only the colonial state but also the patriarchal structures that had sought to keep them in the private sphere. They demonstrated the power of collective action and the agency of African women in shaping their own destinies." - Aili Mari Tripp, Women and Politics in Uganda (2000)

This protest was significant as it challenged the notion that women were passive and had no voice in political matters.The Women's War of 1929 in Nigeria was a two-month rebellion against colonialism led by local market women in southeastern Nigeria who were often marginalized and excluded from political decision-making processes. The British government needed to raise money to develop their colonies after World War I and imposed taxes on women in the colonies, which was seen as unfair by the Igbo women who were exempt from taxes in their culture.

More than 10,000 women protested against this policy in a protest that grew from a peaceful sit-in to one of the fiercest resistance movements the British ever faced in Africa. Dozens of women were killed and severely beaten, and government infrastructure and factories were destroyed and this sacrifice is an important reminder of the struggles that women have faced throughout history to achieve equality and justice. The Aba women's riot resulted in the deaths of 51 women and 1 man and inspired other women-led protests across Nigeria, leading to women taking up more prominent roles in leadership. In 2018, UNWOMEN officially recognized the role that the Aba women's riot played in initiating Nigeria's independence.

2. Green Belt Movement in 1977

By involving women in tree planting, we have been able to improve their status and raise their self-esteem. Women now have reasons to sit around the table with men and are no longer appendages. Their new-found economic independence has enabled them to exert greater influence in decision-making." - Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement

In 1977, Kenyan environmental and political activist Wangari Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, which is a grassroots organization that aims to empower communities, particularly women, to protect and conserve the environment through tree planting and other sustainable development activities. Initially, the organization focused on planting trees in rural areas to combat deforestation, soil erosion, and desertification. However, over time, it expanded its efforts to include advocacy for human rights, good governance, and sustainable livelihoods.

The Green Belt Movement challenged traditional gender roles by recognizing the impact of environmental degradation on women and involving them in efforts to combat it. Through the organization's activities, women were able to take on leadership roles, gain new skills, and become empowered agents of change in their communities. Moreover, the Green Belt Movement emphasized the importance of women's involvement in environmental conservation, which highlighted the significance of gender equity in environmental policy and decision-making. By promoting women's involvement in these processes, the Green Belt Movement drew attention to the intersection of gender and environmental issues.

3. #BringBackOurGirls campaign

"In a world where the news cycle moves so quickly, social media is often the only platform for stories to be heard and the #BringBackOurGirls campaign is proof that it can be a powerful tool for activism." - Malala Yousafzai

In 2014, more than 200 female students were abducted by the Islamist sect Boko Haram in Nigeria. For several weeks, no action was taken until the news spread on social media through the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls. The campaign gained global attention and support from people across different generations, genders, ethnicities, and religions. World leaders and celebrities joined the movement, and various countries deployed their armed forces, drones, satellites, and surveillance equipment to rescue the girls. The campaign highlighted the power of social media in raising awareness and advancing causes, even for distant issues.

The campaign also shows how women can come together across different backgrounds to demand justice and accountability for gender-based violence.Women's rights activists today continue to use social media to raise awareness about issues such as gender-based violence, unequal pay, and reproductive rights. The #BringBackOurGirls campaign serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the need for continued activism and advocacy

These movements and their impacts continue to shape our understanding of women’s history and our ongoing fight for gender equality. It is an important reminder of the ongoing need for women’s activism and leadership in shaping a more just and equitable society.