Nyamasheke District
Southwestern Province
"How can we affect change in the world when only half of it is invited or feel welcome to participate in the conversation?"
This past week UN Goodwill Ambassador, Emma Watson, gave a speech on gender equality to launch the HeForShe campaign. Her speech formally invites men to participate stating "men don't have the benefits of equality either." I agree. There is a saying in Rwanda that men keep their tears in their belly. Showing emotion and being vulnerable is not a commonly valued trait among Rwandan men.
But what if it was?
There are some amazing Rwandan men who value honesty, family, and equality. They don't just talk about it. They show it- like my friend in Giseyni, Papa Treasure. He loves cooking for his wife and learning new things in the kitchen, and the best part is he's not ashamed. Or my friend, Papa Prince, who will wear his infant daughter on his chest in public and will come home after a long day to play and help feed her. These are just a few of the men breaking tradition and taking small steps towards equality.
I'm beginning to truly believe men are the change agent for gender equality. "When they [men] are free, things will change for women as a natural consequence. If men don’t have to be aggressive in order to be accepted, women won’t feel compelled to be submissive. If men don't have to control, women won't have to be controlled. Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong. It is time that we all perceive gender on a spectrum, instead of two sets of opposing ideals."
Together we are stronger. Together we can elicit change.
If not me, who? If not now, when?
To listen to Emma Watson's full speech, Click Here.
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