Women of Madagascar: In my multiple journeys through the most remote corners of this majestic island that is Madagascar, I have had the immense privilege of meeting extraordinary women. These women, who could be described as wives, mothers, farmers, artisans, seamstresses, are the true pillars of their homes. They move in the shadows, discreet and resigned, busy with their thousand daily tasks which seem to them to be obvious obligations. Too often, their dedication and contribution go unnoticed.
These women seem to have agreed to let their inner light go out, their sparks of life fade. They lose themselves in fulfilling their role, giving all of their strength, love, and skill to support humans, manage their households, frequently raise many offspring, and take charge of everything around them.
Imagine Rose, Amélie, Denise, Berthine, Marie, Lala, Fara, and many others, following the same relentless rhythm day after day. They get up before the moon finishes its round, before the rooster crows. They are busy behind the stove, folding laundry, tidying up, preparing coffee, desperately looking for a piece of “gas bread” or cassava, or cook rice for the family breakfast. Then they wake up the children, dress them, feed them, check their belongings, kiss them and send them to school. Then, they go to the Gite d’Accueil to welcome the travelers, ensure their comfort, prepare, serve, clear… all this while smiling. This smile is their strength, their light, their human warmth, their way of being. Afterwards, they devote themselves to work in the fields, walking for hours without getting discouraged, because nothing can stop them. Or they devote themselves to their own income-generating activities to provide for their families. Their hands are marked by work, their feet hardened by the miles traveled, their faces sculpted by hardships… But they remain strong and standing.
These women from Madagascar never stop, they never give up. They accomplish everything, without complaining, despite daily challenges, fatigue, doubts and worries… And they always do more, because they ask themselves: “If not us, then who will?” These women, from the countryside, may not have had the chance to go to school or follow global trends, but they possess invaluable wealth and skills. The social and cultural stereotypes that qualify them as “campagnardes” and of “women” sometimes led them to doubt their own value, forcing them to accept a place assigned to them by others. Often judged “incompetent”, “ignorant” or “incapable”, they are nevertheless endowed with incredible strength, unwavering will, and unfailing resilience. They are used to working hard in the fields and elsewhere, counting the hours spent in the sun, in the rain, mastering techniques that are often improbable but effective.…
These women are admirable, respectable, courageous and radiant with life. Their smiles and warmth are contagious. We can learn a lot from their simplicity, their joy of living with few resources, their courage, their hope and their determination. Because they are convinced that tomorrow will be better, because, as they say, “God will always be by our side”. Their work is colossal, but they deserve more recognition, attention and appreciation.
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