Neglected Voices: Hapless Women in the Shadows on International Women’s Day.

By Adonis Byemelwa

In the dazzling limelight of International Women's Day, adorned by high-profile figures such as professors, former ambassadors, and politicians, the silent struggles of countless women linger in the shadows, overlooked and unheard. While children flood social media with pictures of their grandmothers and mothers, showcasing joy and recognizing their importance, questions arise about the authenticity of these posts.

Do these social media displays truly reflect the care and consideration given to these parents, or are they merely a public show? The stark contrast between the celebratory posts and the reality faced by many women, especially in rural areas, raises concerns about the sincerity of the International Women's Day observance.

In the hustle of posting pictures and expressing appreciation, it's apparent that the majority of the youth spend years without actively considering the challenges faced by mothers in rural settings.

The potential hypocrisy surrounding International Women's Day calls into question whether these social media gestures genuinely translate into tangible care and support for women in less privileged circumstances.

If hypocrisy were to be legally addressed during International Women's Day, would the actions of those posting heartfelt tributes align with meaningful efforts to improve the lives of women in need?

This year, as the world paid tribute to influential women, it's crucial to shed light on the challenges faced by those dwelling in rural areas, particularly small-scale farmers. In rural environments, the day for many women begins before dawn, marked by a relentless cycle of responsibilities that extend well into the night.

Often the first to rise and the last to rest, these women carry out an array of tasks, from fetching water at sunrise to preparing meals and readying their families for the day ahead. The burden continues as they engage in strenuous farming, where the yield rarely aligns with the effort invested.

Small-scale farmers, predominantly women, play a pivotal role as major global food producers. Paradoxically, they often find themselves lacking adequate food for their own families. The journey from cultivation to market involves considerable suffering for these women, with few recognizing the hardships they endure.

Their toil is exacerbated by archaic tools like hand hoes, which, contrary to misconceptions, result in physical strain rather than exercise. Cultivating an acre with a hand hoe takes about a month, while a tractor could complete the same task in less than two hours.

The challenges persist as these women plant and tend to crops, often bending over for weeks on end. Calloused hands and cracked heels tell tales of the arduous work undertaken. The fate of small-scale farmers hinges entirely on rainfall, and a lack thereof translates to hunger, compromised access to essential needs, and even a scarcity of school supplies for their children. Life in rural areas is tough and unpredictable.

In response to these hardships, many young people opt to abandon villages for urban areas, seeking what they believe to be a more promising and easier life. However, the urban landscape often presents its own set of challenges, with job scarcity and informal employment contributing to the struggle.

The travails faced by small-scale farmers are further exacerbated by the rampant inflation in Tanzania, making essential goods like sugar unaffordable. The inflation rate is alarming, yet political leaders seem detached from the economic realities affecting their citizens. This crisis hits hardest in rural areas, where small-scale farmers are the primary victims.

International Women's Day serves as a poignant moment to raise voices for these overlooked women, urging action rather than mere celebration. The focus should shift towards addressing the fundamental issues these women face daily, such as economic hardships, inadequate resources, and the persistent gender-based disparities in rural areas.

In rural areas, the water agenda, often cynically exploited by politicians during elections, transforms into an unattainable luxury. The absence of tap water forces small-scale farmers, predominantly women, to embark on arduous journeys of several kilometers to rivers for water.

The presence of tap water, even when rationed, is considered a symbol of wealth in Tanzania, highlighting the stark inequality in access to essential resources. Many mothers, burdened by the daily trek for water, have passed away still carrying the weight of the water bucket on their heads.

The paradox of politicians vying for votes by promising to "lift the water bucket off mothers' heads" persists a stark contrast to the grim reality faced by women in rural areas. This discrepancy underscores the urgent need for addressing fundamental issues such as water scarcity, hunger, poverty, and inadequate healthcare, not only in Tanzania but also across Africa, as advocated by human rights activists from Europe and the United States.

Rev. Dar Katabaro's reflection on the joy and celebration sparked by the discovery of water at his school in Karagwe serves as a poignant reminder of the stark disparities in basic amenities between developed and developing nations. While people in developed countries rejoice at unexpected sights like swimming pools, Tanzanians celebrate the acquisition of necessities like water.

As the world acknowledges the achievements of accomplished women, it is crucial to remember and uplift the voices of those grappling with poverty and adversity in silence. International Women's Day should be a call to action, prompting society and leaders to address the challenges faced by women in rural areas, rather than a mere celebration that overlooks their struggles.

In the spirit of recognizing the resilience of these women, this International Women's Day should prompt a collective effort to alleviate their hardships. The global community, political leaders, and individuals alike must come together to implement tangible solutions that empower and improve the lives of these unsung heroes. Only then can we truly honor the essence of International Women's Day and pave the way for a more equitable and just society.