Small Footsteps, Radical Movements

It started small. An advert in the local newspaper promoting a Masters program in Peace studies was all it took for Pamela Hanchobezyi- a teacher at Sikalongo Secondary school in Zambia to spark an interest in pursuing further education. Having just completed her bachelors degree in Kenya where she was exposed to some courses in Peace issues, Pamela began entertaining the idea of the things she could do in her own community with a specialized degree. However, in taking this opportunity, she was aware of two things: Firstly, she knew that she would be ostracized and categorized as “too educated” by both men and women in her community. She also knew that because of this, her chances of getting married were almost impossible. But despite the negative cloud of judgment and misunderstanding that followed her, Pamela kept walking.

As someone who comes from a western country where education is seen as the key to success, I had trouble understanding how one can be considered too educated. She explained, “Men are intimidated by women who are more educated then them. Women who are uneducated don’t understand why I would want to pursue education, when marriage guarantee’s security.”

 She explains further that many Zambian women feel as though their roles should only include things like cooking and cleaning, though Pamela is working to change these sterotypes. She says,  “Men think marriage is having a child. It is not about love or commitment; it is about using the women to produce children.” When I asked Pamela whether she would rather be educated or married, she quickly voted for education. “If this is marriage, I don’t want any part of it.” I couldn’t help but nod in agreement.

Pamela describes the harm in a culture dominated by patriarchy by sharing countless stories where battering and adultery is a common occurrence. But with a lack of employment opportunities, women rely on their husbands for income, which creates a continual dependency on the male to support their family. So, inflicted with fear they remain trapped and unaware of all the opportunities waiting before them.

But I see a different sense of wonder in Pamela. Though I was fooled by her sweet demeanor when we first met, her intolerance to accepting inequality is evident through her determined nature. Pamela sees life as a playground. She uses each environment she is in to engage with the community and challenge a male dominated mind-set. After the idea was planted by a fellow MCCer to hold her own workshop on gender, it only took her one week to organize and gather women in the community to come out to this event. She has also used her experience from her Peace Studies Master’s program, and from various Gender workshops to actively lead an afterschool program called “Peace Clubs.” With her passion for these issues, her pupils have gained a deeper understanding of peace within the school and home.

Her footprints are different then the others in her community. But with each step she makes, people can’t help but notice the counter-cultural markings of a woman who is fighting for justice. Some people see the trail she leaves behind and join in, eager to explore what it means to be defined by their own achievements. Some watch timidly from the sidelines, wanting to join, but are trapped by duties and expectations. And some look down on her, waiting to criticize every wrong turn she makes. But despite all of this, she is moving. She is moving further away from a society where male patriarchy is deep rooted, and into a place where freedom reigns and opportunities are endless.