IWD | Society Is Uncomfortable With The Progress Women Have Made
I had the privilege of attending the International Women’s Day Leadership Roundtable organized by Akili Dada. The event brought together inspiring women and girls’ rights leaders to discuss critical issues, share strategies, and build solidarity.
This conversation couldn’t have come at a better time. It was a space for women to exchange practical solutions to strengthen our collective efforts in tackling the challenges we face. I had the chance to sit and listen to women who have paved the way before me, women who have created impact, fought for rights, and amplified the voices of many girls and women across the world. These are women who have sat at decision-making tables, raised the difficult conversations, and worked towards change.
Hearing their stories of resilience was eye-opening, what kept them going, the obstacles they faced, what still keeps them awake at night, and most importantly, how we, the younger generation, can build upon their work and continue the fight for gender equality.
What Keeps Us Awake at Night
“I lie awake at night wondering if the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will truly be achieved by 2030. It makes me constantly ask myself what can I do? How can I contribute?” — Serro, Safaricom
“I keep thinking about how we can make NGOs and corporations more inclusive for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the workplace without it being seen as a burden.” — Anonymous
“What keeps me up is figuring out how to secure the resources I need to continue showing up for the young women I work with at the grassroots level.” — Brenda, My Body My Body
It’s inspiring to see that the things keeping these women awake at night aren’t just personal struggles — they’re challenges that impact others. Yet, despite this, they are committed to finding solutions.
My Highlights
- Strategic Networking Matters: We must be intentional about how we connect and support each other, especially through local initiatives.
- We Underuse Our Networks: Women know how to fundraise within our families and communities through chamas, table banking, and other informal financial support systems. We need to expand that same energy into funding our initiatives.
- Our Communities Are Our Strength: Instead of waiting for external support, we should ask: What resources do we already have within our networks that can help us grow?
- We Have Become Too Comfortable: It’s time to step out of our comfort zones and actively support each other by sharing opportunities, skills, and resources.
- We Must Amplify Our Stories: Many tools are available to help us raise awareness and drive action. For example, This is Love by Jules used storytelling to shed light on gender-based violence (GBV) through the experiences of Sphoie and Bumpy.
- Lift as you climb. Every woman who has walked a path can extend a hand to another, ensuring that progress is shared, not just achieved alone.
The system is rigged against us. So instead of fighting to fit into a broken system, we should build our own one that works for us, empowers us, and ensures that no woman is left behind.
Joy Zawadi, Executive Director Akili Dada
Lastly, I hope we can create more spaces where women can learn, unlearn, and engage in meaningful conversations about shaping a better world for themselves, especially since society seems uneasy with the progress we’ve made.
Till Next Time
Adios🩸
