By Marianne Wangare
What do you
think of the term official wife? Many times rural woman is not recognized in
the society. Most of them are taken for granted without keen observance of the
critical role they play in the society. Their contribution to development of society have often passed unnoticed.Several cases have identified them with
mistreatment, trauma and depression as their associative characteristics. Pre-historic
times have defined a woman as an inferior vessel at the disposal of man.
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| Photo of rural woman tendering farm |
Men have
been presumed as the kings of the family. However, the 21st century
women are also heading their homes. This is very particular in rural homesteads
where they are left with the burden of shouldering family responsibilities. Single
women who have kids to take care of have also shown the world that they are
equal to the task through their unwavering dedication to raise a healthy family.
Incidences of men battering their wives as the children watch have only served
as a point of giving children a bad picture of a united family. These women are
affected and some of them leave their families to escape the wrath of the
husband. More so the children are affected in their social relations when they
grow up and even affect their education life. In the recent months battering of
women had decreased and a trend of men being battered by their wives has been
recorded. This led to the degradation of men’s right of ruling the house in the
society.
In the olden
days women were not allowed to do men’s tasks. It was forbidden, as they were
supposed to do the house chores and take care of the family. During this
revolutionized era women have become more independent. This is because they
have been able to provide for their families and take care of large properties.
Most men are so pessimistic about the independent woman because they know very
few of them get married. It has been quite a challenge to them. The new
generation women are reluctant to accept some of the things that were observed
during the time of the forefathers. They believe a man should also be of equal help
in the house despite his gender.
Women have
been able to acquire more knowledge; hence most of them own successful
businesses and large companies. They are also turning out to be great leaders
in the society. Some have been appointed as women representatives in senior
positions of government. This has helped them to represent their fellow women
in the government. It has also enabled funding of projects started by women
groups in the society.
The
unemployed woman involves herself with self employment.Women in the society
have come up with groups hence chat ways on how they can improve their
livelihoods. This has helped a lot because some have started making blocks
which are used for building. They also make energy saving jikos and practise
tree planting. By doing all these activities they are able to earn income which
helps them improve their livelihood. It has also exposed them to more knowledge
especially in the sector of technology where most people are not conversant
with. Rural women easily use mobile phones and have quickly appreciated the
emergence of modern technologies like electronic money transactions.
