The words used to describe the body, the harm, and the resistance all shape how women feel about themselves and how they are seen. If the term “sexual violence” is pushed into euphemism, the conventional structures for understanding and naming that violence shift. A woman’s personal narrative of “survivor,” “advocate,” or simply “woman who was harmed”, for instance, becomes harder to anchor. Over time, the erosion of precise terms weakens individual agency and collective recognition.
In Primary Four, our Ga teacher, Mr. Ayibontey, had told us, “March is the sunniest month of the year.” He wrote it carefully in Ga on the blackboard—O-tso-ki-ri-ki-ri—and said it was so-called because “the sun burnt with a furious blast.” March, to me, was heat, unapologetic and alive. But the evening I became a soothsayer, there had been a downpour.
Literary scholar Abrams describes this as the dynamic interplay of four key forces: the author, who brings intention, emotion, and craft; the reader, who makes sense of the story through curiosity, lived experience, and interpretation; the text, shaped by language and structure, which then becomes a meeting ground for both; and the world around them: the cultural and historical moment that gives words their resonance and relevance.
Cover Image Courtesy: Sena Ami // Bitfiasi Initiative As the co-founder of Bitfiasi Initiative, a financial literacy agency dedicated to African women’s economic liberation through Bitcoin, Lydia Sena Ami Kudowor is championing a revolution to empower young African women through financial education. The trailblazing leader has defied convention and redefined success on her own terms. But her journey to success…
Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond is a commanding, yet fresh presence that mirrors the exuberant charm and depth of her highly acclaimed books. Even over the phone, the soft-spoken tone of the bestselling Ghanaian-American author belies a deep-seated confidence, reminiscent of our first meeting at the studios of Citi FM at a reading event in July 2022. Yet, she reveals a humbling…
Cover Image Courtesy: Jessica Felicio // Unsplash Life’s journey is an assortment of emotions, regardless of age or status. We’ve all faced moments of joy, pain, self-doubt, and uncertainty. While age brings valuable perspective and wisdom, some experiences can be shattering without a strong sense of self. Woman Emerge has curated 12 empowering truths to guide you through life’s seasons,…
Living a life of authenticity can be an act of rebellion for women who dare to move from the ‘herd’ life to find worth and expression in their unique identity. The world may demand conformity, but you know too much to fall for this trick, dear millennial woman.
Cover Image Courtesy: Vladmir Yelizarov // Unsplash Life’s complexities through adulthood and times of hardships often mask an individual’s genuine identity. Yet, no one can shy away from the moment of truth when we have to pull back the layers of inauthenticity birthed by societal expectations to stand face-to-face with our inner self, to unveil our true essence. For millennial…
Cover Image Courtesy: Jessica Felicio // Unsplash Across boundaries and generations, the shared experiences of guilt and shame form an unspoken bond among women. For centuries, the whisper of self-doubt has echoed in our minds, questioning our choices, intentions, and aspirations. Although the guilt of living one’s life is a common thread running through most women’s lives, this shared experience…