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Beyonce might have been on to something when speak up in the face of discrimination, adversity and
she sang the words “Who runs the world? GIRLS” misogyny.
and as much as the rest of the world tries to deny
it, women have and will continue to push the
envelope and advocate for marginalised people
across the globe. History tells the story of female So, let us take a global trip down memory lane as
heroes championing social, environmental, and we spotlight female-led movements across the
political change over and over again and I am sure world. To the ladies reading this article, the next
that as you are reading this a few names have time you doubt yourself, question your existence
already come to mind. in the world or need motivation to see it through,
remember that the same tenacity and boldness
They say well behaved women seldom make these women exhibited, lives in you. You can
history and as we work on a better future for change the world if you dare…You got this girl!
ourselves and generations to come, I urge you to Happy Women’s History Month.
think of yourself, your mother, your sister, daughter,
wife, partner, and friends. There are several amazing Movement: The Women Soldiers of the
secrets women possess, that we will neverrrrrr tell Dahomey Kingdom (Modern-day Benin)
but for the sake of this article, I’ll let you in on a very Elite troops of women soldiers contributed to the
small one but you must promise not to tell anyone… military power of the Kingdom of Dahomey in the
you promise?! Promise o…ok eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Admired
in their country and feared by their adversaries,
The secret is that we are in charge…always have these formidable warriors never fled from danger.
been, always will be. Whether you want to admit The troops were dissolved following the fall of
it or not, you know I am right. Still questioning it? Behanzin (Gbêhanzin), the last King of Dahomey,
Ok how were you brought into this world… After during French colonial expansion at the end of the
you were born, who used their body as a lifeline for nineteenth century.
your very existence. See, without women being in Leaders: The soldiers were called the Mino or
charge and literally being the physical manifestation Minon which means “our mothers”
of the word “birth” where would you be?... So, when
we say girls run the world, we mean it. Movement: The Green Belt Movement (Kenya)
2004 Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize winner who
In the wake of a global pandemic and civil unrest pioneered the Green Belt Movement in 1977 that
across the world, we celebrate and highlight the encouraged people, especially women, to plant
accomplishments of the great women who have trees to combat environmental degradation.
run the world in their respective communities and Leader: Wangari Maathai
countries. Being a champion for change, especially
for marginalised members of a society is not an Movement: Abeokuta Women’s Union
easy feat and we celebrate the warrior women (Nigeria)
that came before us and draw on their strength to Nigerian Activist and freedom fighter who founded
fight for a better tomorrow for the next generation. an organisation called Abeokuta women’s
In light of Women’s History Month, celebrated in union, known as one of the most impressive
March every year, we honour the women who women’s organisations of the 20th century with
came before us, used their voices, and risked their a membership estimated to have reached up to
lives for the advancement of women everywhere 20,000 women that fought to protect and further
and support the SHEroes of our generation who the rights of African Women.

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