Jane Chima

Being a Woman in 2020 is:  Being called a person who menstruates. Being called a tree because; no child Being called a man because you’re decisive and self motivated Becoming a bread winner because hubby lost his job Being a humble Bread Winner to avoid being called a witch who cost her husband his livelihood   Saying NO to rape Saying NO to molestations Saying No to Female Genital mutilations Saying   No to unwanted affections Saying NO to harassments of all kinds Saying NO to domestic abuse.   Having to explain CONSENT Having no desire for sex at 18 Having to explain your passion for work and why you need to make a living Having a husband who prefers to live single while being married to you Having to explain your singleness in your 30s Having to explain being 40 and having no children   Choosing to live alone and being badgered for it Choosing comfort over savings Choosing to trek home rather than accept free rides ...

We were close to the pedestrian bridge when I saw them. 3 boys on the footbridge. It looked like they were in some kind of fight; 2 against one. Even more terrifying; no street light from the bus stop we came from to the next 3 bus stops. The last time I was robbed at the next bus stop at 6am flashed before my eyes. Picture from Google So, if you avoid them by running at this bus stop, how would you avoid them at the next bus stop, my conscience asked me. On we walked till we got close to the bridge and they noticed us. One of the boys started walking down. I eagerly pointed them out to my partner. “We need to go back” “Why?” he asked. “It is 3am and those boys on the bridge are coming down to meet us” “I don’t think so”. This fearless man answered. “Let me find a stick”. He started looking around him for a stick. I saw the second boy walk to the other end of the bridge and I turned back without waiting for my partner. “Wait now”. He called after me. “They c...