Introspection on the Meaning of Sisterhood

My wonderful friends, as you know some of us followed the Venerable Monks, and their wonderful companion, Aloka, who walked 2300 miles across America, highlighting the need for peace.

Their walk is now complete; they, along with their faithful furry friend Aloka, have reached their destination, culminating in a wonderful inter-faith church service, in the Washington National Cathedral, where they were welcomed by Rev Mariann Budde.

It has truly been such a heart-warming experience witnessing their growing popularity and the intentional message, that we, the citizens of this world, irrespective of our faith journey, need to reach out to each other mindfully accepting that we share a common belief in a world that longs for and is crying out for peace.

Surely, this is a wonderful example of grace and love in action, showing us that we don’t need to live in a society divided by polarization and suspicion, and that we need to connect with each other on a regular basis and in so doing celebrate our commonalities rather than our differences.

I can only speak for myself and say that following the progress of the Venerable monks has made me pause to think about “stuff”.

For a long time I have been thinking about the concept or idea of “Sisterhood”. What does it look like and what does it mean?

According to Wikipedia, Sisterhood is the bond of trust, support, and shared experience among women, often highlighting solidarity and empowerment.

Every single day we read about the atrocities committed against women, rape murder, beatings, verbal abuse – the list goes on.

However, maybe, just maybe, it is time we examine and talk about solidarity and empowerment and how we treat each other. Do we build or do we tear down? I also think we need to examine the concept that the oppression of women by other women is shameful and beyond comprehension

Please bear with me.

Circa 2007 I was invited to join an International service club for women, the aims and ideals of the said service club undertook to serve and work towards the empowerment of other women.

The very first meeting I attended I was baffled by the attitude of some of the members. They hardly bothered to greet me, or welcome me or even get to know me. “Strange, very strange” I thought and decided to be patient give myself and everyone time; “maybe it’s me!” I thought.

Amazing how the ideals and aims addressed “other women” and not “each other”!

I watched one of my international sisters break down in tears, as \ she reached out to a group of us, expressing fear and discomfort at living with a life threatening illness – they got up, packed their bags and without a backward glance or a word of comfort left her weeping!

However, aside from the negative behaviour – there were some truly inspiring positive and wonderful initiatives on a local, national and international level, that sponsor and the empowerment, upliftment and education of girls and woman. They are truly inspiring and they change lives. One of my favourite international projects was the upliftment, and education of girl children who were forced to become soldiers and take up arms. With the assistance of mental health experts and other medical agencies these young women were reintegrated into society.

Closer to home, the Port Elizabeth Club sponsored and supported a young women in obtaining her Master’s Degree in Biochemistry. Something I am extremely proud of.

Women have come such a long way, in fighting and calling out patriarchy, confronting sexism, demanding equal pay and treatment in our place of work, worship and leisure, as well as addressing the harmful nature sexual harassment, abuse and rape has on society in general.

Remember, not so long ago, I might add, women could not open a bank account without her husband’s permission or signature. We certainly have come a long way since then; we have faced and courageously confronted the brutalities of unhealthy laws making life so difficult for women, like the pass laws for instance. Some of us took to the streets and stood in solidarity with each other.

I think the time has come for us to change the narrative of how we speak to each other and treat each other. Because, sometimes, we seem to have this strange notion that we are somehow better or smarter than our sisters. Instead, let’s join forces in fighting the scourge of patriarchy, rape, sexual predators, abuse, inequality and plain straight nastiness?

Can we stand shoulder to shoulder and declare that an injury to one woman is an injury to all women.

In the name of peace…let’s be better.