Unyielding and Unseen: Recognizing and Celebrating the Resilience of Women

Introduction

International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the resilience, intelligence, and foresight of women whose contributions shape the world, often without due recognition. From the former abductees of Northern Uganda rebuilding their lives through vocational skills to women in politics challenging systemic barriers to the mothers shouldering both economic and unpaid care work, women are the silent yet formidable architects of progress. Their impact extends across advocacy, literature, science, and space exploration, where they continually push the boundaries of possibility.

Rebuilding After Abduction: The Resilient Women of the Global South

For decades, Northern Uganda was plagued by insurgency, with countless women abducted as children by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), enduring unimaginable suffering. However, their narratives are not confined to victimhood; they are testaments to resilience and triumph. Women like Evelyn Amony, once held captive, now lead efforts to reintegrate fellow survivors into society through vocational training and entrepreneurship.

Similar stories of resilience emerge from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where women survivors of armed conflict rebuild their lives through cooperatives like the Congolese Women's Fund. In Colombia, former female FARC combatants are reintegrating into society by launching small businesses, engaging in education, and advocating for lasting peace.

Organizations such as Women in Action for Women (WAW) and the Uganda Women’s Network (UWONET) provide training in tailoring, baking, and agriculture, enabling survivors to achieve economic independence. In India, grassroots organizations like SEWA (Self-Employed Women’s Association) empower women through vocational skills, giving them the tools to secure financial independence. Many of these women have become business owners, educators, and advocates, proving that their futures are defined not by their past traumas, but by their strength and determination.

The Invisible Force in Politics: Women Who Shape Policy Yet Remain Unheard

Women in politics often navigate a landscape of exclusion despite their capacity to drive significant change. In Uganda, Hon. Betty Amongi, Minister of Gender, Labor, and Social Development, has pioneered policies for economic empowerment, yet her efforts receive minimal media attention. Internationally, figures like Jacinda Ardern, who led New Zealand with compassion and decisiveness, have faced immense pressures, with burnout often forcing them to step away from leadership roles.

Despite these systemic challenges, women persist. Malala Yousafzai remains a powerful voice in global education reform, while Ugandan MP Cecilia Ogwal continues advocating for gender equality. However, representation alone is insufficient—women’s voices must be amplified, policies must be enacted, and their contributions must be recognized.

A recent example of political marginalization is that of Mojisola Meranda, the Lagos State House Speaker, who was appointed following the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa. Yet, within weeks, she was ousted, demonstrating the precarious nature of women’s political advancements. Similarly, Nigerian Senator Natasha Akpoti was recently suspended for six months after publicly speaking out about her sexual harassment case against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Her suspension underscores the immense challenges women face when confronting gender-based violence within political institutions. These stories serve as stark reminders that despite qualifications and capabilities, women in leadership continue to face systemic resistance.

The Economy of Care: A $12 Billion Lifeline

Unpaid care work, predominantly performed by women, is the backbone of economies worldwide. If compensated, this labor would contribute over $12 billion annually to the global economy. Yet, it remains invisible.

Women from rural Ethiopia balancing subsistence farming with childcare to single mothers in urban centers of Brazil juggling multiple jobs and caregiving responsibilities sustain communities without financial reward. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted this imbalance, disproportionately increasing women’s domestic burdens.

Addressing this issue requires actionable policies, including direct cash transfers for caregivers, subsidized childcare, and equitable parental leave. Recognizing and redistributing this labor is not charity—it is economic justice.

Women as Architects of Progress: Advocates, Poets, Scientists, and Inventors

Beyond politics and economics, women shape cultural and intellectual landscapes. American writer and activist Maya Angelou used her words to challenge oppression and inspire generations, notably with her autobiographical work I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which broke barriers in American literature. Kenyan scientist Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka has pioneered wildlife conservation, leading efforts to protect Uganda’s mountain gorillas while improving public health for local communities through her NGO, Conservation Through Public Health. Their work has not only redefined their fields but has also left a lasting impact on global discourse and environmental sustainability.

In technology, Dr. Juliana Rotich co-founded Ushahidi, a platform that revolutionized crisis mapping. Despite systemic obstacles, women continue to innovate and redefine the world through their contributions in literature, science, and invention.

Reaching for the Stars: Women in Space, Aviation, and Defense

Women continue to break barriers in space exploration, but not without facing systemic injustices. NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, a decorated naval officer, test pilot, and veteran of multiple spaceflights, remains stranded aboard the International Space Station after what was supposed to be a short-duration mission turned into an indefinite stay. Having spent over nine months in space due to ongoing technical failures with Boeing’s Starliner service module, Williams has been left in a situation that raises serious concerns about accountability and astronaut welfare.

As the first woman to command a commercial crewed mission and a pioneer in space exploration, her prolonged mission is no longer a testament to endurance, but an alarming case of neglect. While official statements offer reassurances, months have passed without resolution, leaving her fate uncertain. How long must she wait before decisive action is taken? Sunita Williams' predicament is not just a technical mishap—it is a stark reminder that even the most accomplished women can be subjected to undue risks and bureaucratic inertia in male-dominated industries.

Women of color are also making history in space. Jeanette Epps is set to become the first Black woman to join an extended mission on the ISS, following in the footsteps of Mae Jemison. Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams has led multiple space missions, serving as a role model for aspiring scientists.

Beyond space, women in aviation and military service continuously push boundaries. Shannon Huffman Polson was among the first women to fly the Apache attack helicopter for the U.S. Army, paving the way for future female pilots in combat. In the U.S. Navy, trailblazers like Vice Admiral Nora Tyson, the first woman to command a carrier strike group, have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in a traditionally male-dominated field. Captain Amy Bauernschmidt made history as the first woman to command a U.S. aircraft carrier, proving that women are capable of leading at the highest levels of military strategy and operations. Their perseverance and achievements continue to redefine what it means to serve in the modern armed forces.

A Call to Action

On this International Women’s Day, reflection is not enough—action is imperative. We must amplify the voices of the unheard, invest in overlooked contributions, and honor women’s work not just through celebration, but through policy, pay, and power.

Women do not need permission to lead; they have built the table, carried the table, and set the table. It is time the world recognizes and values their work accordingly.