Walking in the shoes of African women
In weather far more Arctic than African, about 70 people raised money Sunday for women and girls in some of the world’s warmest countries.
But the sub-zero weather and the difficult footing in Mission Creek regional park were nothing compared to the challenges many women in developing countries face every day, some participants in the third annual CARE Canada Walk in Her Shoes event said.
“Sure it’s a bit cold, but just think what it’s like for people to have to walk something like 10,000 steps every day just to get what they need to survive,” Karen Roscizky said.
“Maybe it’s a bit uncomfortable for us to be out here when it’s like this, but imagine if you didn’t have the choice but to go on such long walks to get food, firewood, or water,” said Irene Stoltz.
A walking route equal to 10,000 steps, or about six kilometres, was laid out on the icy ground of the park. And participants were also invited to try carrying a basket with 10 lbs of food in it on their head.
“Ten pounds feels like a lot to us, but in some places women are actually carrying 70 per cent of their own weight on their heads,” said event organizer Wendy Wright, a CARE Canada volunteer.
The $3,000 hoped to be raised at Sunday’s event is destined for three countries in Southern Africa: Malawi, Mozambiqe and Zambia.
“It’ll be used for things like digging wells, developing homestead gardens and assisting with the care of livestock,” Wright said. “The whole idea is to help women become more self-sufficient.”
Coun. Mohini Singh, a guest speaker at the event, praised those who braved the chilly conditions to turn out for the walk.
“By walking here today, you’re not just raising funds, you’re also raising social consciousness,” Singh said. “It’s the global awareness that will effect change.”