LOUD WHISPERS: March 8th Bandwagon
When I was working with Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA), an international development organisation for African women based in London (AMwA has since relocated to Uganda), my job entailed developing programs to support African women living in the UK. Whilst the focus of our work was advocacy and influencing policy, we did a fair amount […]
LOUD WHISPERS: The Value Of What Is Ours
In December 2006, I attended a Ford Foundation philanthropy retreat in Bahia, Brazil. My first visit to Brazil was in 2004 to attend a conference in Rio de Janeiro, and even though I enjoyed the experience, I felt I had missed something by not being able to go up to Bahia which has strong African […]
LOUD WHISPERS: The First Class Citizen (Buchi Emecheta 1944-2017)
On 25th January 2017, a vibrant citizen of the world and a great daughter of Africa, Florence Onyebuchi Emecheta, was called home at the age of 73. Born into a humble Igbo family on 21st July 1944 in Lagos, she grew up knowing that she was expected to go through life as a ‘Second Class […]
LOUD WHISPERS: The Lost Angels
A few days ago, I received a message on WhatsApp from a friend. There was a video he wanted me to look at and do something about. I don’t like it when I am bombarded with dozens of meaningless videos, photos and other visuals on WhatsApp, but I have resigned myself to their inevitability. I […]
LOUD WHISPERS: Over Lunch
Julie: I am so glad we could meet up for lunch at last Betty: Me too. It has taken us so long to find the time. Julie: We always find time for the people and the things we love Betty: So true. Julie: It is a shame Ruth could not join us. She is not […]
LOUD WHISPERS: Choices
Last week, I had a conversation with a young woman who had just finished reading my autobiography, ‘Speaking Above a Whisper’. She said the chapter that intrigued her the most was the one in which I described some of the influences that shaped my life from an early age. The chapter she was referring to […]
LOUD WHISPERS: Cold, Alone And Forgotten
Years ago, when I was still living in London, I was on an underground train one day with an old black lady. Let me call her Julia. I had at least eight train stops and Julia talked to herself all the way through. She was close enough for me to realise that she was speaking […]
LOUD WHISPERS: Prophecies And Common Sense
At the end of the year or the beginning of a new one, there is usually a torrent of prophecies around the world. Humanity has always expressed a desire to know what the future holds, either out of curiosity or a desire to prepare for the unknown. Every civilization we know of has included those […]
LOUD WHISPERS: As The Year Draws To An End
When I started Above Whispers in February 2016, I made a commitment to write a Loud Whispers article every week. I knew there was no way I could commit to posting something daily on the website, and I did not want something sporadic, so I decided on a weekly column. Even though I love writing, […]
LOUD WHISPERS: Will Human Beings Become ‘Abbies’?
The year is 4028. Planet earth died out 2000 years ago. In the year 2028, a scientist known as Dr David Pilcher gave a presentation at a conference on climate change. His key findings were that humanity would cease to exist in a few centuries time, and unless human beings made the necessary adjustments to […]
Re-Writing Women’s History: Reflections On The Legend Of Moremi
The story of Moremi Ajasoro, a legendary figure from the ancient town of Ile-Ife in South West Nigeria is not one limited to the Yoruba people of Nigeria. Her story is known across the world and in the African Diaspora, a classic tale of bravery and sacrifice for the good of the community. Recently, the […]
LOUD WHISPERS: Efuru@50 And Flora Nwapa’s Feminist Legacy
Let me apologise in advance to anyone reading this, who has not read Flora Nwapa’s book Efuru, or any of her other books. My challenge to you is, after reading this, please look for a copy of Efuru. It is one of the greatest books ever written by an African woman, and it heralded a […]
LOUD WHISPERS: Changing The Story
Mabel is a 42 year old woman. She has a job she loves and is very good at. She is respected by all her colleagues and peers. She has three adorable children, who are all doing well in their respective schools. She is very active in her church, she is a member of two professional […]
LOUD WHISPERS: Thank You Hillary Clinton
I should have known when I went into two wine shops, looking for a half bottle of champagne, with no success. I arrived San Francisco on November 7th, to attend a board meeting at the Global Fund for Women. When the dates were confirmed at our June meeting in New York, I was very pleased […]
LOUD WHISPERS: Endangered Engagements
I had a conversation with a young woman in her late twenties recently, let me call her Jenny. She wanted my advice on her situation with her ‘Fiancé’. They have been together for three years, and even though he has not actually popped the question, he refers to her in public as his ‘fiancée’ and […]