This archive report was first published on 6 January 2020.
On a recent visit to a local market, I witnessed a woman expertly haggling with vendors, her sharp wit and negotiation skills earning her a fair deal. She was not a celebrity or a high-profile businesswoman, but a mother of three, working tirelessly to provide for her family.
As I reflected on this encounter, I began to question the notion of success in Kenyan women. We often celebrate the 'slay queens' who flaunt their wealth and status on social media, but what about the women who truly make a difference in their communities?
According to a 2020 article, the successful woman is not the one who drives around the city streets 'fingering men' with an obscene middle finger, but rather the one who works hard to provide for her family. She is not the one who hangs out with the big boys in exclusive clubs, but the one who is dedicated to her craft and her community.
As the article aptly puts it, 'A successful woman, methinks, is your caring mother. No drama, no frills. She is the one who worked so hard in the fields just to pay your school fees.'
As we celebrate the achievements of Kenyan women, let us not forget the unseen struggles of those who truly make a difference. Let us recognize the hard work and dedication of the women who are the backbone of our society.
