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Pilgrimage to Self (http://pilgrimagetoself.blogspot.com/2006/03/honouring-african-women.html) honours the “Unheard Voices” of women who “keep the wheels of society and their community and indeed Africa well oiled and turning but who never get any sort of recognition for it.”

“This is for the woman who watches as her country is ravaged by war…This is for the woman who has been sold into marriage for sake of family, faith or tradition...This is for the woman who suffers abuse because of her colour, lifestyle, faith, opinion, background, ethnic group…This is for the woman looked down on because she has chosen to stay at home and look after her kids…This is for all of us who in one way or another are forgotten and maligned because of who we are – Women.”

Mshairi (http://www.mshairi.com/blog/2006/03/08/celebrating-women-international-w...) chooses to honour Africa’s women musicians - Angelique Kidjo from Benin, Sibongile Khumalo from South Africa, queen of Taraab’ Zuhura Swaleh from Kenya, Cesaria Evora from Cape Verde and Mama Africa, Miriam Makeba from South Africa.

“These musicians have seen me through sad times and brought calmness, joy and contentment in my soul when these were lacking. Their powerful songs can bring tears to the eyes or a smile to my face, depending on the occasion.”

Weichegud! ET Politics - (http://weichegud.blogspot.com/2006/03/honoring-african-women.html) honours the mothers of Ethiopians whose children have been slaughtered.

“In the late 70s, during the bloody White Terror followed by even more bloodletting in the Red Terror, Ethiopian mothers buried their sons and daughters who were slaughtered in the name of a wanton revolution. They were forced to pay the government for the bullets that killed their children. And later, they dug up skulls and skeletons from mass graves and held belated funerals.”

Black Looks (http://okrasoup.typepad.com/black_looks/2006/03/honouring_afric.html) chooses to honour the women of the Niger Delta, especially Mrs Odua of the Egi Women’s Council.

“Mrs Odua was an activist and human rights defender who fought determinedly and without respite against unrestricted corporate power, state sponsored terror and the institutionalised tools of gender repression. She paid a high price for her activism and beliefs. Ostracised from her community, abandoned by her husband, disinherited by her in-laws. We should not underestimate the honesty and courage of women like Mrs Odua who resist the everyday oppressions in their own local communities.”

Zimbabwean Pundit (http://zimpundit.blogspot.com/2006/03/international-womens-day-honoring....) honours the women of Zimbabwe and Africa through the story of Grandmother Ambuya vaSekai, who is taking care of 5 young children, the eldest of whom is 6 years old. What happened to the parents of the children?

“Mzukuru (grandson), ambuya intoned, her voice breaking up as the emotion welled up inside of her, upenyu hwakaoma (life is hard). Vaurikuona ava ndivo vatova vana vangu (the infants you're looking at now my children). Vangu vekuzvara vasopera kare, amai vaChipo kadikidiki aka karimumaoko angu takavaviga pasina kana negore rese (All my offspring have long since died, you see Chipo over here, we buried her mom less than a year ago).”

Sisiogeblogs (http://sisioge.blogspot.com/2006/03/international-womens-day.html) chooses to honour those women why either by choice or enforced by biology, do not have children of their own. A mother herself, she writes:

“However, I also admire and remain in awe of the many brave women who make the decision not to dance to nature’s tune or tow the populist view by choosing not to give birth. The amazing thing about these women is that they often make great aunties, social mothers and surrogate mother’s alike.”

Adefunke on Adefunke (http://adefunke.blogspot.com/2006/03/celebrating-african-woman_08.html) chooses to honour the many women that have touched her life and in particular her mother, Princess.

“Widowed twice, she has managed to do a good job of raising two children, me and my 20 year old sister who has cerebral palsy. I learned the meaning of forgiveness as I watched her struggle with the hand fate dealt her. I learned the meaning of beauty as I watched her touch people with her kindness. I learned the meaning of perseverance as I watched her lovingly not give up on my sister.”

* Sokari Ekine produces the blog Black Looks,

* Please send comments to [email protected]