NETWORKING, THE POWER OF WOMEN
Loyola University, Chicago, October 2008
Chairperson,
Organisers,
Supporters and Friends,
I feel honoured to be invited to the Inaugural Conference
of the African Women in America. It is a pleasure to be
with you.
I have a great attachment to women, particularly African
women. It is the children of Africa who introduced me
to women about 3 decades ago. The launching of African
Women in America deserves commendation and we congratulate
you heartily.
Your theme/topic; “NETWORKING, THE POWER OF WOMEN”
IS TIMELY AND ON TARGET. Networking and Women Power were
instituted by God from the start of humankind. Somehow,
we lost these over the years. Thank you African Women
in America for taking us back to networking and Women
Power. We need them and the world needs networking and
women power. Our respective nations all need Networking
and Women Power. Individually and collectively, we need
networking and women power.
What are we talking about when we say Networking and
Women power?
NET
According to the Webster’s New Collegiate
Dictionary, net is defined as an open meshed fabric, twisted,
knotted or woven together at regular intervals. Net is
useful getting essentials like catching fish or bouncing
back the tennis ball.
NETWORK
Network is defined as:
(i) a fabric or structure of cords or wires that cross
at
regular intervals and are knotted or secured at the crossings,
(ii) an interconnected or interrelated chain, group
or system
I also encourage you to think of Networking as “‘Knit’
working.” Threads so interwoven that they became
one article or item such as a cloth or sweater –
so useful, warm, providing protection and security. The
yarn or thread so put together that it reflects beauty
and creativity. So remember when you Network, you are
‘knit working’.
WORK
Sometimes it is useful to define even commonly
used words like Work, especially for those of us whose
mother tongues are different from the English language.
The dictionary defines work as Exerting strength, perform,
achieve an objective.
WOMAN/WOMEN
I wonder how many people know the definition
of woman. According to the most authoritative source,
the name was given by Adam, the first created male. “Her
name is ‘woman’ because she was taken out
of man.” That is why a man leaves his mother and
father and, is joined to his wife in such a way that they
net work as they are knit together.
Networking, Women, and Power brought together spell
success and accomplishment.
God in his wisdom created humankind to network with
Him. He accomplished things including miracles through
networking with man and womankind.
Adam was at a loss when he only had animals to relate
to. Networking with animals was not as efficient nor effective.
The real networking commenced when male and female worked
together partners.
Networking is natural to humankind. Mankind is always
networking as boys on the field, in school, or elsewhere.
Man at a working lunch, golf club, at the bar, in church,
etc.
For women, networking is critical and essential. Throughout
history, women have net worked for better or worse, for
good or bad. There is tremendous power in the woman’s
networks.
In many African traditional settings, women were the
backbone of their communities and nation through their
net works. There were the custodians of systems of continuity
from one generation to another.
Women accomplished much through networking; cultivating
fields, producing food, water collection, meal preparation,
child bearing, home and community managers, and as peace
keepers.
Women’s networks served the last blows to colonialism
and brought it down in many countries.
Contemporary African women networks have brought attention
to the heavy work load of women. The Girl Child, Resolution
of Conflict, etc, are now at the top of world Agenda.
We need to salute African Women for influencing the world.
The women networks in Africa have ushered in the increased
numbers of women in parliament, cabinet and local authorities.
These networks have ensured change of Cabinet portfolios
from only Ministries of Social Affairs for women to previously
male dominated ones such as Foreign Affairs, Finance,
and others. Africa can now boast of women Vice Presidents,
Speakers of Parliament, Prime Ministers and a female President.
By the mid 1990s, there were several women leaders of
political parties in Africa.
It is African networks that ensured that the African
Union (AU) has 50/50 gender balance at the highest levels
of decision-making. The AU being the only intergovernmental
organization of states that has scored equality at such
levels.
CHALLENGES
African women networks have made commendable
achievement in the last decade. More networking is required
in the areas of economics and finance, business, industry,
science, etc. The areas of human resource development,
people to people and, nation to nation relations will
benefit from women networks. Areas of International Relations
and Peace Keeping need the intervention and involvement
of women networks.
There are also needs in the areas of meeting the basic
needs of people such as health, education, and access
to clean and safe drinking water, particularly in our
continent of Africa, but also in the poverty stricken
areas of the industrialized parts of the world.
The heavy work load of African women is still an urgent
issue that needs to be addressed with the women networks
as catalysts. The plight of the girl Child is an ongoing
issue.
The HIV/AIDS pandemic has brought to the fore an increased
number of orphans and street children. Girls are particularly
vulnerable. There are also issues of fair Trade and the
Exploitation of African resources.
African women are also challenged to engage with Africans
in the diaspora so that together and united we can tackle
and overcome these challenges.
African women in the USA and other industrialized countries
are the Ambassadors of Africa. They need to be channels
of blessings for their own people in the continent and
elsewhere.
We are witnessing the Renaissance of Africa. Achievements
in Africa and by Africans are getting the world’s
attention. There is another scramble for Africa as Commissions
on Africa and Agreements with the African Union are being
made with other continents. While the resources of Africa
are still at the core of the interest in Africa, the achievements
are also an attraction.
As the African Union has the Regional Blocks and NEPAD
as engines for change, African women networks have a special
place as the prime movers. They have to play their part
in guiding and directing ‘where Africa goes, and
how’. The foundation and pillars of Africa are still
women. The tasks ahead call for networking among women.
Women’s use of their networks and power will assure
Africa at the forefront in the world.
Viva les femmes Africaines!
Viva la Afrique!
Dr. Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika
AMBASSADOR
