Editor, RE: “RwandAir, Ethiopian Airlines female pilots celebrate Women’s Day” (The New Times, March 10). I must commend RwandaAir and Ethiopian Airlines for helping open the door of empowering women to work in Africa. In most of the African countries a woman was, unfortunately, regarded as property of a man. Any organization, family or country denying a woman the right to work or to make decisions is doomed. Gone are the days when young girls were prepared to be ‘sold’ for marriage at a very young age. I think the Governments of Rwanda and Ethiopia are doing a great job by providing quality education to the new generation without sexual discrimination. When I nowadays see female heads of state, pilots, MPs, judges, professors, engineers, journalists, doctors, drivers, among others, coming up in many African countries, I see a bright future for Africa. Africa is on the rise, with the field of free movement of human labour characterized with competition between men and women worldwide. However, it’s paramount to note that women’s emancipation in Africa is still a process and needs support from all. The problem is that some women still don’t believe in themselves and others love comfort zone. These young pilots and others in Africa make women proud and more determined to succeed in what they do. Henry Mapesa
