Finding the Power Within Us

I am passionate about political, social and gender justice. I believe injustice and discrimination continues because those who have a voice and can change the status quo choose to remain quiet.

My first real experience with speaking up was during the selection of A ‘level subjects. I wanted to do Economics, but I had been selected to pursue a course in the Humanities. I was distraught, and had accepted the subjects selected on my behalf. My mother-whose education is a total of 5 primary school years- was to forever change the way I saw myself and my relevance in my community. After two months of going to school, and absolutely hating History and Divinity, she called me to her room and asked me,” So you are going to remain quiet and do subjects you hate because somebody told you that’s what you’re good at? You are not even going to fight it?” She went on to tell me that we should always tell people what we want and wish for, even though we know we might not get it. A month into the team I took on new classes, in a new department and was several years behind my classmates in accounting and economics concepts. Since that day I have found the power within me, and I will use it to fight injustices in my community.

The experience with my mother and the headmaster taught me several lessons. Just because someone thinks it is good for me, I don’t have to accept it, because ultimately I should be the one to determine what is best for me. The second lesson is that unless you speak up, someone will speak up for you, and they might not necessarily represent your interests. I also learnt that accepting your position is equal to giving other people power over you. If I have a voice, I should use it, and pass it on to others. My personal vision is to see a world where all voices count, and where platforms to speak are shared equally. It is through our voices that we change the world.

When my director told about Pulsewire, I was very enthusiastic because I was presented with yet another opportunity to use my voice. I have always been interested in writing about my work as a gender justice activist, but have not had the courage to begin. I believe the Voices of Future program will give me the necessary tools to write about issues that are important to my community.