Sr Agathe Ngendakumana shares her celebration of International Women’s Day in Gumo, Ghana
It was a first in Gumo! For several months, I had dreamed of going to see the women of Gumo, to get to know them and celebrate their international day. Questions came to me from the bottom of my heart: Agathe, is this possible in Gumo? Agathe, are you ready to take a step? To risk?
The answer was
“Yes, Courage!” He is with you who sends you.”
After a time of observation, listening and meditation, I informed my community of this project. Then I informed the women of our Christian community. They received the news very well. One of them volunteered to continue the reflection with me and find two Muslim women who would help us inform groups or small associations here in the village. I also informed Mr. James, the leader of the village assembly. I was counting on him to organize this celebration because he has talents for that.
With this small group, we decided to go see the village chief to inform him of our project. He welcomed us well. He was very happy with the idea. He told us to go and organize and then let him know about this organization. He told me he was giving me his blessings.
After that, we had two meetings to think about and organize this feast. Mr. James had a large part in this organization. He is good and very good for that. Mrs. Hannah is also very good at reaching out to other women and passing on information to them. When we made the list of needs, I was afraid because it required not only human resources but also material means. All my colleagues encouraged me, saying that they are going to invite small associations to support us. The team, especially Mr. James and Ms. Hannah, worked well, running here and there.
The day before the celebration, the women decided to go clean the place for the celebration and the surroundings of the chief’s courtyard. Very early the next day, Mr. James and Ms. Hannah were on the ground arranging chairs, tents and making sure everything was okay. We had invited MTN (international telephone company), it supported us with its two loudspeakers, a few tents and posters, as well as 50 packets of food. Two women from the Christian community volunteered to buy the water. The Ghana Plan office contributed sweets and biscuits. The Shea Butter association also contributed with sweets etc. The village assembly contributed by donating 800 cedis. Other people gave small contributions. The rest of the equipment we rented.
This day allowed us to speak to women on subjects that concern them, such as women’s rights, violence against women, human trafficking (Kayaye), technology and development. We invited people capable of transmitting these messages in the local language Dagbani.
A woman from the village spoke on behalf of all women, showing the challenges that concern them, their joys and their sufferings. They need to be supported and respected in their dignity, she said. At the end, the village chief spoke to express his joy and gratitude.
The estimated number of participants was around 250 people. A few days later, a delegation of women came to thank us, loaded with a bag of yams and a guinea fowl.
Together with the collaborators, we made an evaluation. Everyone appreciated the initiative. The women said they didn’t know there was a day dedicated to them. The wish for the future was to interest people of good will to support them in improving the quality of their international day.
