Africa strength, African future

On May 25, 1963, 60 years back, the foundation was laid or what is now called the Africa Union (AU). A foundation to strengthen the 55 African countries to break free from external influences. To stop decolonization and apartheid on the continent. A day that draws attention to every year, to celebrate the current "independence," but also to address common challenges.

Mallence Bart-Williams indicates, one of the African forces portrays a painful reality in one of her speeches. A reality that people are still battling daily and why Africa Day is still very important.?Africa is the richest continent in the world with all its resources and then it is also the poorest continent. A bizarre combination.

That further one of the greatest riches on the continent is to be found in the people, is also evidenced by the men and women who separately, or together, have found their way to the future by also going back to the past. Dr. Utheri Kanayo the founder of the Freedom School in Kenya is a great example. A school that teaches children to believe in who they are, to develop their own strengths based on recognition. Recognition that was not present before, because teaching materials did not fit the Kenyan background. But it did match the British one. Individuality, traditions and recognition that with small steps is also introduced elsewhere in other African countries. Education so common to Westerners. Learning things about your own history, Western systems, traditions, etc, but new in African countries.

With attention that no country is equal to another. Regions in countries differ from each other there is a reasonable dominance from the West in the world. A dominance that shows that colonization has not stopped either. From a "Twilight," it has developed in new forms, but is it beautiful to see the strength of Africa in women like Elma Akob. The strength that the vision of feminism is not seen equally by all. Therefore, Western feminism is not how they see the role of women in society. Women already had a powerful and strong role in society, were already more than a housewife. In fact, because of the International Western approach, they rather have to fight to prevent oppression.

Without selling African men short. Indeed, the men and women together are society. Each with their own tasks and responsibilities, but also with respect for difference. Although the Western, the international focus is always on the children and women, men do not seem to count. They certainly do count within African cultures and are just as vulnerable, just as strong as the women.

That there are many strong women is also evidenced by so many examples. How about the female president of Tanzania. Samia Suhulu, the hijab-wearing Muslim woman president of a predominantly Christian country. Or Hajer Sharief, who has been nominated several times for a Nobel Peace Prize. Or a very good friend of hers, Inas Miloud who has developed into a strong woman, with support from family and friends to strengthen the strength of women, of Amazigh, of Libyans.

One young woman that should not be missed, while others are sadly still missing (list is too long) is Malaika Oringo. Now in the Netherlands, but fled years back. Now working daily to help others who are suffering or may suffer the same fate. Human trafficking, women abuse to name and fight.

Africa has so much beauty and strength. So many beautiful examples that Africa Day cannot be closed without the words of Duaa Gadoura in a post about her experience as a working mother.

'The sky's the limit!'?

The road is still long, but Africa is on its way to go beyond the limit