The month of August is a phenomenonal month in the life of women. This is the month they gather at different levels in their communities and churches to discuss contemporary issues that affect them as women and most especially initiate different development projects that positively impact their societies. During these meetings which have become an annual event, they inspire themselves and learn from each other to better improve their families. Those without skills or capital to begin their businesses are empowered and those succeeding in their marriages or in their careers use the occasion to share practical knowledge with their fellow women. These women, together, pool resources and embark on one project or the other.
The philosophy of August meetings could be described as “Igwe bụ ike” as against “Ike otú onye”. Historically, these meetings were the ways through which women fought for and ensured that there voices were heard as the traditional rural Igbo societies began to transform into more contemporary, civilized and urbanized societies. As an increasing numbers of people moved to urban centres, August meetings became the major time, women and women alone go back to their communities to commune and develop a strategy for the future. It can be said to be women reunion, “Ekeresimesi Umunwanyi”
The excitement that come with these meetings and reunions could also lead to the neglect of the main purpose of these gatherings. It is not uncommon to see women compete among themselves in the clothes, jewelries, perfumes, hairs, and make-ups they wear or even cars they attend the meetings with. This is why it important to always remind them of the purpose of the meetings so that no focus will be lost. Women, at whatever level they are meeting – in churches, parishes, as women wings of their villages, quarters and communities, are reminded that August meeting is a time to sow. A time to sow into their marriages, families, communities and churches. It is time to know where and how they have lagged behind to make amendment and to champion a new leaf by embracing skills, innovations, trend and patterns of how to be responsible mothers worthy of emulation in the society.
In such gatherings, family values, moral and Christian values are to be discussed to lay good foundations for the society. As a time to sow comes with expectation of a harvest, it is expected that women are reminded that whatever they sow is what they will reap. It reminds us of God’s promise in Psalm Chapter one hundred and twenty-eight, verse two, that “we shall eat the fruits of our labour”. It behoves on the women to know that this promise is also a life principle that whatsoever we sow in our families, churches, and communities in these August meetings as values, morals or physical projects are what our families will reap. And if we forget and turn the August meetings into jamboree thereby sowing nothing, so also we will reap the outcome of no action which in most cases are even more devastating.
This is the time to learn skills that they will use to help their husbands in the families especially with the economic situation in the country. This is the time to learn life skills to help them put their families together.
It is important to let the young mothers know that martial institution is a sacred sacrament ordained by God which needs to be cherished, groomed with patience and protected. The rate of divorce happening in today’s society calls for deeper reflection.
Many social vices that we see today in the society can be reduced, if not ended, if women developed strategies to address them in their communities, families, and society during these August meetings. It is time to sow for a better society.
Happy August Meeting.
Written by DR MARTHA IBEZIM
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