So, I know I wrote beforehand, a little bit about Women's Day. Which was in March. Well, here is what i wrote for CI... My thoughts / views / reflections on Women's Day... A month late! ;)
Bright flashes of color. Bursts of song. Dancing down a busy street. Shouts of joy. Many smiles. Lots of laughter. Pride.
March 8th was International Women’s Day. This day had been spoken about to me, since I arrived in September. A day of celebration for all women. A day set aside to highlight the beauty, strength and grace of women. A day of a few gifts for some, a few more kind gestures towards women – mothers and wives and friends – but it was especially a day to express and feel appreciation.
The main street of Beni started lining with groups of women around 10 AM on this Sunday, groups representing different churches, organizations, families, employment or friends. To show not only their femininity but also deep connection to their respective group – most wore clothing made from the same fabric. Each group of cheering women wore patterns different from the next group. Distinctions were made not only by clothing, but by banners or signs that were carried at the front of the group. And depending on what group they belonged to, dictated the different songs sung and chants made by the women.
UCBC had a group of about 30 women; teachers, students and staff all joined together as UCBC Women. Joining the group brought cheers – each woman who came to add to the solidarity of our group, her presence was rejoiced. Our group formed, we started our march towards the Mayor’s home on the other side of Beni.
The sun was so strong that day. It was easily over 90 degrees, with an occasional slight breeze and not a cloud in sight. There were thousands of women walking in the hottest time of the day, between 10 AM and 2 PM. Almost as a surprise to us, though it was encouraging as well, were the medical staff going up and down the long line of women – ready to carry out the weak or those overexposed to the sun. Besides a little sunburn for some of the wazungu, the UCBC Women were strong. We walked, marched and danced for several hours – slowly making our way through town. The entire time we were singing songs of unity and praise to God in Lingala, French, Swahili and English. We shouted out chants of pride in and love for our university – UCBC.
And then the energy changed. Suddenly, instead of a few bystanders watching as they went about their business in town, the streets were lined with crowds of spectators – in some places 10 or 12 deep on both sides of the street. The cars were stopped from driving on this portion of the road. Children were in trees watching the women parade past them, people were on top of vans and in the doorways of storefronts. And our pace quickened and we proceeded with even more joy, pride and volume. We were nearing the place where the Mayor and his wife waited to acknowledge each group of women. We held our heads high and nearly skipped as we marched in perfect time to the cheers we called out.
The Mayor gave a nod of recognition, we received a wave from his wife, shouts from the crowd and continued on to the end of the public display of the women representing UCBC on this special day.
We were greeted by male students and UCBC staff, children and husbands who were waiting for us at the end of the procession. We congratulated one another and realized just how dehydrated we all were from the time singing, shouting and walking in the sun! So we began a short, five minute walk to the house of one of our students, where a party and feast was waiting for us. We talked, ate, laughed, danced and shared about the importance and beauty of women. And after many photos were taken – we all headed home to the responsibilities waiting for us – children, husbands, parents, cooking and homework. But for a few hours, UCBC Women, all women in Beni, were on top of the world.
Pride is a powerful thing. If women have pride in themselves and self-respect, a nation will see drastic impact. Women in Congo celebrate their value and strength and power and beauty maybe just one day a year. My prayer is that they will see it every day. And when they do, Congo will be a truly transformed nation.
Thank you for reading...
Love,
Bethany
