Beyond Gender: A Declaration of Humanity by zion margaret lubogo

The most famous broadcaster in America is Oprah Winfrey. A woman, She announced her
retirement, and they held a festival honoring her in a football stadium, but the surprise was to
discover that she had sponsored 65,000 poor people for a quarter of a century without anyone
knowing...

Many of them attended the stadium and 450 people came out with candles... !

Five of them were professors at Harvard University who gave a short sermon summarizing it: “If
it were not for Oprah, we would now be in a different place than this...”!!!

One person changes the lives of 65,000 people? And in secret?

Humanity is not a religion, but rather a rank that some people reach.

"Socrates".

Over to African millionaires and billionaires. Build human capacities instead of competing in
building castles and buying exotic vehicles which will become old models in a few years.

Be an epitome of humanity. Sponsor children of the poor to school especially the girl child,
educate one you educate an entire nation.
In many parts of the world, women and girls have been disenfranchised due to a multitude of
reasons: cultural traditions that chain them to antiquated roles, political systems that ignore
their voices, and an enduring masculinity that overshadows their potential. This marginalization
is not confined to any one region; it manifests in various forms across continents and societies.
From the young girl denied an education in the rural villages of South Asia to the woman whose
worth is measured solely by her physical appearance in the bustling cities of the West, the
narrative remains disturbingly consistent.

To continue this way is to strip us of our essence, our humanity. If this systemic
disenfranchisement persists, then let it be known: I am no longer a girl, or a woman, or a female.
I am now a human being.

Cultural norms often dictate the limits of what women can achieve, prescribing roles that
confine them to the private sphere. In some cultures, a woman's value is tethered to her ability
to bear children and manage a household. Yet, as Simone de Beauvoir eloquently stated, "One is
not born, but rather becomes, a woman." This becoming is often marred by societal
expectations that stifle potential and restrict freedom. But if to be a woman is to be caged by
tradition, then I renounce the label. I am a human being, deserving of the same unencumbered
existence afforded to my male counterparts.

In the political arena, women's voices are frequently muted or altogether ignored.
Representation is sparse, and when present, it is often tokenistic. Political disenfranchisement
is a global epidemic, from the corridors of power in developing nations to the parliaments of the
developed world. As Malala Yousafzai poignantly noted, "We cannot all succeed when half of us
are held back." The struggle for representation is a struggle for recognition, for the
acknowledgment of our humanity. Thus, I am not a woman fighting for a seat at the table; I am a
human being demanding my rightful place in the governance of my own life.

The pervasive culture of masculinity often dismisses women's capabilities and undermines their
achievements. The notion that strength and leadership are inherently male attributes is a fallacy
that continues to plague our progress. Virginia Woolf, in her seminal work, declared, "For most
of history, Anonymous was a woman." This anonymity is the result of a patriarchal structure
that views women as secondary. If my identity as a woman means being overshadowed by
masculinity, then I reject it. I am a human being, defined not by gender but by the breadth of my
abilities and the depth of my character.
To persist in viewing women through the narrow lens of gender is to deny their full humanity. It
is to ignore the multifaceted nature of our existence, our aspirations, and our rights. Therefore, I
shed the labels that society has imposed upon me. I am not defined by my ability to conform to
outdated norms or my capacity to endure systemic oppression. I am a human being, entitled to
the same rights, respect, and recognition as anyone else.

In this declaration lies a call to action: to recognize and affirm the humanity of every individual,
regardless of gender. It is an invitation to see beyond the superficial distinctions that divide us
and to embrace the shared essence that unites us. As human beings, we possess an inherent
dignity that demands acknowledgment and respect.

Let us then move forward, not as men and women bound by societal constructs, but as human
beings, equal in our pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.

In every corner of the globe, women are breaking free from the shackles of traditional roles and
redefining what it means to be human. Their journeys are not just individual triumphs but
collective awakenings that echo through time and space. These women, by challenging and
overcoming systemic barriers, embody the essence of humanity itself. They remind us that our
potential is not constrained by gender, but is instead a boundless expanse limited only by our
imagination and determination.

Consider Malala Yousafzai, who braved bullets for the right to education. Her story is not just
one of a girl defying odds, but of a human being claiming a fundamental right. She once said,
"One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world." In her pursuit of knowledge,
Malala transcends her identity as a girl from Pakistan. She becomes a symbol of human
resilience and the universal quest for enlightenment. In her struggle and victory, we see the
transformation from a girl seeking education to a human championing the right to learn.

In politics, women like Angela Merkel and Kamala Harris have shattered glass ceilings,
demonstrating that leadership knows no gender. Angela Merkel's tenure as Chancellor of
Germany reshaped the political landscape of Europe. She led with a pragmatic approach that
prioritized human welfare over partisan politics. Merkel once remarked, "Freedom is the very
essence of our democracy. Without freedom, there is no democracy." Her leadership transcends
the traditional image of female politicians; she stands as a testament to the power of human
governance.

Kamala Harris, as the first female Vice President of the United States, carries forward this
legacy. Her rise is a narrative of breaking barriers and redefining possibilities. Harris has often
said, "My mother would look at me and she'd say, 'Kamala, you may be the first to do many
things, but make sure you're not the last.'" In her words and deeds, Harris embodies the spirit of
human perseverance and the relentless pursuit of equality.

In the realms of science and technology, figures like Marie Curie and Ada Lovelace have long
defied gender norms. Marie Curie's groundbreaking research in radioactivity earned her two
Nobel Prizes, making her a beacon of scientific achievement. She famously said, "I am among
those who think that science has great beauty." Her dedication to science transcends her
identity as a woman; she represents the universal human thirst for knowledge and discovery.

Ada Lovelace, often hailed as the first computer programmer, envisioned a future where
machines could extend human intellect. She wrote, "That brain of mine is something more than
merely mortal; as time will show." Lovelace's work laid the foundation for the digital age,
showcasing the limitless potential of human ingenuity.

Women like Rosa Parks and Emmeline Pankhurst have spearheaded social movements that
changed the course of history. Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her bus seat was a pivotal
moment in the Civil Rights Movement. She later reflected, "I would like to be remembered as a
person who wanted to be free... so other people would be also free." Parks' act of defiance
transcends the notion of gender; it is a human cry for dignity and justice.

Emmeline Pankhurst, a leader of the British suffragette movement, fought tirelessly for
women's right to vote. She declared, "We are here, not because we are law-breakers; we are here
in our efforts to become law-makers." Pankhurst's activism transcends her identity as a woman;
she embodies the human struggle for equality and representation.

These examples illustrate that when women break free from the confines of gender, they do not
merely elevate their own status—they uplift humanity as a whole. Their stories are not just about
female empowerment but about the universal human quest for freedom, equality, and progress.
As we reflect on these profound journeys, let us embrace a new identity. Let us see ourselves
not as men or women, bound by societal constructs, but as human beings—each with the
potential to change the world. In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, "The future belongs to those
who believe in the beauty of their dreams." Let us dream, then, not in fragments of gender, but in
the wholeness of our shared humanity.

If a girl child will continue to be denied the right to education, kept from the hallowed halls of
knowledge,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be silenced in political discourse, her voice drowned in the roar of
masculine authority,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be bound by cultural chains, her destiny dictated by archaic
traditions,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be judged by her appearance, her worth reduced to mere physical
beauty,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be denied equal opportunities in the workplace, her ambitions
thwarted by gender biases,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be the victim of violence, her body a battleground for power and
control,
Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be seen as a burden, her existence weighed against economic
measures,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be excluded from sports, her talents overlooked in favor of her
male peers,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be denied the freedom to choose her path, her dreams constrained
by societal expectations,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be marginalized in the media, her stories untold and her
achievements unsung,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be denied healthcare, her well-being sacrificed to systemic neglect,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be oppressed by religious dogma, her spirituality confined by
patriarchal interpretations,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be overlooked in scientific endeavors, her contributions minimized
by historical bias,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be patronized in her creative expressions, her art diminished by
gendered perceptions,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be segregated in every aspect of life, her potential stifled by
invisible walls,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

In this declaration lies our truth, an unyielding proclamation of our essence. We are not bound
by the labels of gender; we are the embodiment of human potential, the harbingers of a future
where every being, regardless of gender, stands equal and unrestrained. We are human beings,
and in our unity, we will rise.

My grandmother, Margaret Mugeni Ngoha, though I never saw her, lives vividly in the stories told
by my father and other close relatives. She was more than just a woman as the world
understood it then; she was a true demonstration of human excellence, transcending the
limitations imposed by her time. In her memory, and in honor of other women who have excelled
in life, I offer this thought-provoking and resounding beacon to all girls, women, and females.
Strive above the stigma of derogative words, actions, and omissions that have long enslaved
the girl child. Let this be a deep, philosophical, and inspirational call to embrace your true
humanity.

If a girl child will continue to be told she is weak, when history sings of the strength of women
like Harriet Tubman, who led the enslaved to freedom,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be denied the right to dream, when we remember Margaret Mugeni
Ngoha, who defied the limitations of her era,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be silenced, when Malala Yousafzai raised her voice for education
despite the threat of violence,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be seen as less, when Sojourner Truth demanded, "Ain't I a
Woman?" in the fight for equality,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be kept from leadership, when Angela Merkel guided a nation with
wisdom and resolve,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be underestimated, when Kamala Harris shattered barriers to
become a symbol of possibility,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be excluded from science, when Marie Curie pioneered research
that changed the world,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be overlooked in technology, when Ada Lovelace envisioned the
first algorithm,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be oppressed, when Rosa Parks refused to surrender her seat and
ignited a movement,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be dismissed, when Emmeline Pankhurst demanded votes for
women and reshaped history,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be confined by gender, when Eleanor Roosevelt proclaimed that
human rights are women's rights,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

If a girl child will continue to be marginalized, when Maya Angelou wrote and spoke with a voice
that echoed through generations,

Then I am no longer a girl, I am now a human being.

In the spirit of Margaret Mugeni Ngoha and all the women who have illuminated our path, let us
rise. We are not bound by the constraints of gender; we are limitless in our potential. We are not
defined by the derogative words or actions of others; we are defined by our strength, our
courage, our leadership, our innovation, our resistance, and our vision.

To every girl, woman, and female who has ever been told she cannot, remember this: You are
more than what the world has labeled you. You are the embodiment of human excellence, the
harbinger of a future where all are equal and free. Embrace your humanity, for in doing so, you
illuminate the path for others to follow.

In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of
their dreams." Dream, then, not in fragments of gender, but in the wholeness of our shared
humanity. Let your life be a beacon of inspiration, a testament to the power of human potential,
and a resounding declaration that you are not just a girl, but a human being.