Burdens We Carry, Bridges We Build: A women’s month reflection
Life, in all its seasons, offers no guarantees. Like a wheel, it turns – sometimes lifting us to moments of joy, sometimes pressing us into the weight of hardship. For many women, it can feel as though they live mostly beneath that wheel, bearing not only their own burdens but also those of the people they love. These burdens take many forms – the trauma of violence, the fatigue of balancing work, family, and community responsibilities, and the constant pressure of meeting societal expectations. And yet, despite the heaviness, women rise.
The fourth Shaping Our Future Women’s Day event was hosted by Unisa’s Institute for Social and Health Sciences (ISHS) in collaboration with Imbumbe YaBafazi on 7 August. The event was a sacred space that bore witness to this rise as women gathered and shared stories of strength, and healing. Here, burdens became building blocks for bridges of sisterhood, leadership, transformation, and collective well-being.
Women are the quiet rivers of restoration in their communities. They feed others before themselves, wipe tears while holding back their own, and carve out paths for those who follow. They hand over the very tools they use to survive, all while tending to their own wounds. It is in these acts of generosity and strength that leadership is redefined – not as a title or a formal position, but as every moment of guidance, teaching, and uplifting those around us.
The day was marked by powerful voices. Some reminded us of the importance of balance between caring for self and family while building a future for the next generation. Others spoke boldly about trauma, perseverance, and the urgent need to reject the label of “victim” and instead embrace action. Gender-Based Violence was reframed not as a women’s issue, but as a societal responsibility. A collective challenge that demands involvement from all genders in order to break cycles of harm.
In poetry, healing circles, and spontaneous moments of truth-telling, something sacred unfolded. Stories became mirrors, reflecting both our shared pain and our shared power. In these moments, mental health and self-care emerged as vital threads – not luxuries, but lifelines. Women spoke of the need to listen to themselves as attentively as they listen to others, and of the power of supporting one another to build confidence, courage, and capacity.
What unfolded was more than a commemoration; it was a reclamation. Every laugh, every tear, every lyric became a stitch in a tapestry of strength. We were reminded that pain does not diminish beauty; it deepens it. That transformation is not a quiet submission, but a bold, intentional act.
Bridging the gap between burden and possibility requires intentional spaces where women feel safe to share, connect, and collaborate. These bridges are not built overnight, nor for us alone, but for generations to come. Sturdy pathways toward healing and a future where women lead without limits.
The ululation of the women rose as a heartbeat of joy, defiance, and solidarity. It carried the rhythm of all that had been shared and all that is yet to come. In that sound was a promise: we will continue to lift as we climb, support as we lead, and build bridges strong enough for generations to cross. As Maya Angelou so wisely said, “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
Authors: Nicole Rinquest and Pebetsi Mathipa
