The Silent weapon that breaks the loudest chains

Listen to the voice calling, listen to the wind blowing. A strong wind that can be used as a weapon. It’s the wind of knowledge. it echoes the sound of wisdom yet stronger that any weapon we have.

Education is the silent weapon that breaks the loudest chains. The world is fast evolving and the clock is fast ticking . Yet we see the ticks but forget the fact that a day gone can never be replaced. Yet our actions allows inequality to keep cripping into our society.

While I was growing up as a young girl in a rural community call Zem, found in the northwest Region of Cameroon, I was tought that obedience was survival and endurance even in violent marriages was virtue. I wondered how our mothers survived this.

I saw women endured inhuman treatments and bitings, suffering in silence yet "it is normal a sign of love from your partner" they said.

With all the bruises from beatings, i saw many women keeping quite because of ignorance. They had no voice, no one to run too because the society says "endorence is virtue” this is how life if for women even in today’s 21st century.

I didn’t want this for myself. I couldn’t live to endure this, but didn't know the way out. One day, while seated in class learning civil education, I understood that violence is not tradition, nor a sign of love from your partner, but rather a sign of injustice.

This words changed my perspective about life and then I understood that I can only became the future me through education. Getting educated for me as a young girl was not easy, limited by finances to subsidize my education, I hawked on the streets but endure long days of struggles, learning through borrowed text books and teachers who were committed to their jobs and passionate about raising the next generation of leaders. I gained more than knowledge. I started talking of who I want to become in future, because the teachers would often ask us this question. Each time my teacher asked, I said "a medical doctor" , but deep in my heart I knew I may not realize my dreams because I was limited by financial resources and the bold mind to take up challenges. As time went by, I gained boldness and understanding to look beyond my fears.

With understanding Cames courage.

At this point i, understood that education is not just about certificates but about awareness. With education, I understood that control is not love and silence is not peace. Rather it is a path to death. Education can dismantle the lies that tells women that gender based violence can be endured. Lies that tells women that they are worthless, powerless, alone and left only for the kitchen and child birth.

Today, I am an Engineer, though not a medical doctor as i dreamed of, but my effect have been felt through my community actions, counting over 5000women I have been able to empower with skills and informal trainings, to Winning several awards, mentoring young girls and presently on a scholarship at KDISCHOOL studying Development policies. Upon my return, I will be lunching my adult learning school manual to help even the elderly women in Cameroon, learn tools that will give them a voice to stand up for their rights in the face of violence.

Even today, i have seen women who still endure violence and lack knowledge and information regarding women's rights and access to institutions and legal officers who can help them. Education has limited them from knowing not just the basics of reading and writing but blinded many from seeing that knowledge is power. They were fooled by the fact that it is a man's thing.

No it is not, and they is no age limit to education.

To me, Education sharpened my voice, redefined my purpose and transformed pain into policy, advocacy, and service. Educated women do not just escape violence, they work to end it for others.

Have you ever wondered why no attention is given to an ignorant person? That's because the world only listens to intellectual and informed people. education is the main weapon towards ending Gender inequality. Education is the only way through which knowledge can be transferred. If we must push for women's rights, then the women themselves must be ready to embrace education as an empowerment tool. The only way women's voices can be heard is when it is coming from an educated woman. In today's world , who cares to listen to an uneducated woman? But if she build strength through education, she would be able to overcome cultural, religious sterotypes and other barriers that can limit her potentials. That's the only way a woman would be given a listening ear.

However, I pray we keep pushing for policies that favour access to education for women and girls. Sometimes even adult rural women for example might want to embrace education, but are limited by double burden and societal stigma.

Let's continue to advocate and push for the rights of access to education for women and girls because education is not just a tool.

It is not just an opportunity. It is a peaceful weapon, powerful, and unstoppable.