March 14th, 2020 was like any other other day; bright sunshine and regular activities, except for the utterly distressing outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The escalation was fast, and as I made my way to school, anxiety had taken the better part of me. Could it be worse? Oh, yes. News about the first case in the country were reported soon after. As an international student, I knew that the safest option was to go home. “I’m a big girl, I told myself, and what is the point if I have a job and my rent for the next three months was paid’’, call it proactivity. Without regret, I stayed behind, which marks the genesis of my discovery, my appreciation for small things, and, most importantly, for the role of women in society.

 

“The country is undergoing a total lockdown. Anyone caught defying lockdown rules will face the law”, the news headlines read. For the first time, I did not think about myself. I thought of those with nothing, yet they had children to feed. I thought about those without proper shelters or clean water, I thought of many who would lose their jobs, including me, because one month later, I lost it. Days later. I decided to check what was happening outside. Despite the sickening silence, the storefronts, devoid of displays, and cars sitting empty along the curb and collecting dust, I could spot several women. The majority were middle-aged, with merchandise on their heads and young ones tied to their backs. Most sold foods, including bananas, onions, avocadoes, and green vegetables to get some income. I was not interested in buying anything, but when a young woman pleaded me to buy some hand picked mushrooms, I did buy, forgetting that I don’t know how to cook them. Many women have sought various ways to generate income during this period, enduring the hot sun and risking their own lives. I cannot help but concluding that women stand stronger when tough times strike. No word can describe the determination of a woman who wants to feed her children and no dangers threaten them at that point, not even the fear of being arrested.

 

I am a typical youth,  a social media addict. Viewing memes and funny videos is perhaps my favorite pastime activity. However, this time around, most of my friends and I are busy running sanitary towels donation projects and posting emergency helplines. I can, therefore, say that I have a change of hobby. As much as the lack of sanitary pads might appear like “a silent problem”, it is hard to ignore the high undocumented increase in numbers of affected women. Let’s break it down further. Most low-income families in Africa earn below $2 a day. One packet of sanitary towels costs $1, meaning that it is beyond their capability. For teenagers, their academics are likely to be affected. Worse, they could seek help from a sexual partner and end up with unwanted pregnancies. Recently, I called a gas service person, and somehow as he fixed my gas, he told me about his likely frustration of not being able to provide his 17-years-old sister with sanitary pads. He wasn’t as direct, but I am fast at connecting dots. He is 19, an orphan, and the breadwinner of his family. I stepped in to help because I am a woman, and I entirely relate. There is a common statement going viral in social media saying that “we all know tampons and pads are super expensive. Still, the most wholesome part of life is that I have never met someone who wasn’t willing to give you one when you needed it.” To every woman supporting another, you are a hero!

 

 

Before my roommate left for Kenya, I remember her saying, “there is a likelihood that domestic violence cases might increase. Imagine sharing a roof with a violent partner for 24 hours every day. By now, it’s quite apparent. News headlines of increased domestic violence and rape cases are widespread. There are incest cases, and well, what about police officers raping women who are late for home when curfew hours start? When we say that women should stand for their rights, we do not mean posting it on social media, then leaving it at that. When we say that women should check on one another, we do not mean getting the “I’m fine” answer and leaving it at that, instead, we mean checking if she is really fine.” Again, many unsung heroines are currently addressing these issues. Who are they?  They include the many landladies who have given desperate women free housing, there have been food donations by women-run initiatives, and heroic moments like the female police officer who was recognized for her selflessness act of helping a woman with a baby and heavy luggage beat. She warmed the hearts of many Kenyans and proved that humanity still exists. This comes in a time when the Kenyan police force is under criticism of maltreating the citizens, leaving many with injuries.

 

Let’s talk about cyberbullying and body shaming. Perhaps you are thinking that these are just memes, or that this is just for fun. If something wrong is not corrected as soon as it occurs, it soon turns out to be right. You might have come across statements like “The a** won again, now that faces are covered in masks.”’ Body-shaming starts from simple statements like this. I honestly find them disrespectful and frequently address them immediately. It is our responsibility to create a better society because we are more than just our bodies or looks. Honestly I appreciate all the women who have played a role in correcting gender stereotypes in social media and preventing the cyberbullying of women during this period.

 

To all women, we are strong and we run society. May you thrive in whatever you do and remember that you are a heroine. The unsung heroines in this uncertain period are the mothers, the sisters, you and I !

 

Hellen Awuor Okelo is a Kenyan writer living in Rwanda. She is a student at the African Leadership University, majoring in finance, economics and marketing. Hellen is passionate about women empowerment and environmental conservation. She carries the responsibility of mentoring young girls after witnessing many cases of early pregnancies and child marriages when growing up.  

Hellen Awuor Okeli considers herself as a big dreamer and creative. She is a workaholic and has many talents including singing, writing, modelling and reading. She was a victim of bullying in her early years in life.