By Fatou Dahaba
Amid the global celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD), Nyima Sanyang, a 35-year-old single mother from Wellingara, Kombo North, grapples with the harsh realities of her daily life. While the world acknowledges women’s achievements and progress, Nyima faces the uphill battle of putting food on the table for her two children.
Divorced and left to raise her 10-year-old daughter, a primary three student, and a 6-year-old son alone after her husband’s passing, Nyima embodies the resilience and strength of countless women worldwide. Yet, she feels excluded from the narrative of women’s economic empowerment due to her low social status.
For Nyima, IWD is not a day of celebration but a stark reminder of her challenges. She once sold pancakes to provide for her family despite battling sickle cell disease. However, her worsening health forced her to abandon even this modest source of income, leaving her reliant on her children’s assistance.
“My sickness has disrupted me from embarking on many things,” Nyima laments.
She added: “I don’t do anything on my own; it’s my children who help me sell, and we use that money to feed ourselves and provide for other needs.”
Nyima’s greatest struggle now is securing stable accommodation for her family. Financial constraints have forced her to prioritize her daughter’s education while her son stays home and is unable to attend school due to a lack of funds.
As the world commemorates IWD with the theme “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress” and the campaign theme “Inspire Inclusion,” Nyima’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the work yet to be done. The purple color, symbolizing justice, dignity, and loyalty to the cause, resonates deeply with Nyima’s journey.
We pave the way for a more inclusive world by inspiring others to understand and value women’s inclusion. When women like Nyima are empowered and included, they find a sense of belonging and relevance in society.
Together, let us forge a more inclusive world where every woman can thrive and be celebrated regardless of her circumstances.
International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated annually on March 8, is a global day acknowledging women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements.
The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. It celebrates the achievements and progress women have made and highlights the ongoing struggles for equality and the need for continued advocacy and action worldwide. On this day, several events take place globally to highlight the collective efforts of everyone who cares about human rights in the ongoing struggle for gender parity.
