By Leocadia Bongben
The E-woman Conference in Yaoundé was a moment of redefining womanhood and igniting change. It was a time for women to rediscover who they are and fulfill the purpose for which God sent them to the world. A moment of storytelling to whip up the desire in women to change their situation. One woman who held the women spellbound is an energetic pillar in the fashion industry in Nigeria, a renowned woman leader and motivational speaker Dr Nkechi Harry-Ngonadi.
Dr NHN as she is fondly called shared the story of her life, how she saw her dad slum and die before her, and how growing up was full of ups and downs. After a distant relationship with an elderly man, she became pregnant and at some point, she tried to get rid of the pregnancy.
She narrated how a friend accompanied her to the hospital and the doctor in charge had to describe the process to her first. “Before I touch your body, let me tell you what I am going to do to you. I am going to use this metal, (which she called a fork) to open you up so I can see, and I am going to piece the fetus, clear it, and scrape it out,” the doctor had described the scene to her. When you are ready, the doctor told her, we proceed. “A voice said to me, from here, you will die.” I went into the toilet and ran away.”
“I didn’t have an abortion because it was wrong but because I was scared. I knew it was the holy spirit that worked through the doctor.”
Many young girls and women may not be lucky to have a change of mind and not commit abortion and are not scared they may die in the process. Many who go for abortion end up on the tables of quack doctors, while those who come out alive live with complications. Some never have children.
According to statistics from the Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians of Cameroon, SOGOC about 30 percent of maternal deaths are linked to unsafe abortions by unskilled staff and in environments that are not appropriate. It is against this backdrop that SOGOC advocates for a safe abortion through its program- Adovacy for Comprehensive Abortion Care. Though the Cameroon penal code says abortion is a crime punishable, there are instances where safe abortion can be practiced when the woman can lose her life, and in the case of rape.
NKN became a single mother and had to brace for the storm of life to reach her current position. Her story resonates with other single mothers and women who feel dejected when they find themselves in terrible situations.
The message behind the NKN story is that women can redefine themselves, work on their personal development, and still reach their life goals. Women should rediscover themselves during hard times, be health conscious, be intentional about personal growth, and knit a personal relationship with God to be elevated.
Like the theme of the conference, ‘Woman Elevate’, a call to action, a reminder that women have within them the power to rise above their limitations, break barriers, and soar to new heights, the convener, Delphine Nforgwei, said.
Mildred Fortang, teacher, child counselor, and event planner, says the conference was impactful and elevating. “To elevate as a woman, you should work on the self, communication, creating and sustaining relationships.” Strive to study hard, go to school, and read books. It doesn’t take money to elevate yourself, but it takes you as a person to push forward with your desires. Your pain shouldn’t make you hold onto it, behind pain, there is success, so fight to succeed.
