I’m actually one of those girls that don’t like pink. And I really don’t. It won’t be my first point of call in picking a colour. And if we go all the way to fifth, it’ll probably not still make the cut. So I was genuinely suprised at the actual number of pink items I’ve got. I might almost start to think I like pink.
But I guess that there could be something about the colour such that a higher percentage of girls are attracted to it. And maybe just maybe, like our breasts it’s an innate part of who we are.
International Day of the Girl Child
As a young teen. I recall watching a telecom ad, where a woman had just successfully given birth to a baby. But strangely, the rejoicing was not immediate, until the sex of the baby was confirmed – as a boy.
My husband and I hope our first child will be a girl. We may even have names picked out. If it ends up being a boy, we’ll have to spend some time figuring out names. It sort of baffles me how people still consider the girl child inferior. How in many places she’s a second class citizen – often told that there are limits to who she can be, where she can go and what she can do. And while I understand the importance of culture, I struggle to understand certain bits of it, like child marriage.
I turn 28 in a few weeks, having been married for slightly over 2 years – and I cannot for the life of me, imagine how my life may have been if i had to get married by 18. According to the UN, in developing countries (excluding China), one in every three girls is married before the age of 18. Whether or not these statistics are true (because they do sound high!) the reality is that there’s still a lot of awareness to be done.
Asides child marriage, there’s still a lot of bias and discrimination facing the girl child. I’m not sure how much change this one blog post will bring, and I don’t expect it to bring about much. But I hope that in our own little way, we seek to improve and eradicate the bias faced by the girl child. In not thinking that boys are better gifts from God. In not shutting down the dreams and valid aspirations of the girl child. In letting them know from a young age, that can be as powerful and successful as they choose.
Yes. Even if their favourite colour is pink. They can wear it unashamedly, with some lipstick and a pair of heels – and still expect to be taken seriously.
The International day of the Girl is celebrated on October 11.
Pink, for Breast Cancer Awareness
Pink is the official colour for Breast Cancer Awareness. And October is the official month.
It’s a good thing, they use the phrase official – because the awareness should be all day everyday. Like most of my blog posts, writing out my words often keep them in my consciousness and I hope that by reading you too become more aware and spread the word.
Some day, I want to run a marathon to help raise funds. And if you know me, you know that’s a tall order. I do not like to run. I have never run a marathon before. And the longest I may have run is a 400m relay race in high school. Please don’t ask me how it went, as all I looked forward to was the heap of glucose I could waffle down at the end.
But some day, and rather soon, I want to run a marathon – and when I do, (seeing how much effort I’ll have to put in to avoid fainting), I hope we will raise funds for an event or charity related to breast cancer – as it is currently the most common cancer affecting women.
But hope isn’t lost, and I when I do cross that finish line (hopefully not lured by the glucose) I will join my faith and money with that of the thousands of people worldwide who believe that we will beat cancer – breast & all other forms!
I recall my friend telling me her mum has been diagnosed with breast cancer. And I should please remember to pray for her. From shock to silence to mutters of “I’m so sorry”, I realised there was very little, we could do but hope and pray. Since then I’ve read shocking stories that have left me cold in my bones. I’ve also joined in prayers of thanks, of known and unknown families who have triumphed.
The 2016 statistics are staggering. In the UK, 60,000 women are diagnosed every year with 12,000 not pulling through. Reports also suggest that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed. If we think of 8 women we know, that will send shivers down. But on the bright side 8 out of 10 people will survive it for more than 5 years.
While we pray & await its cure and eradication, it’s important to ensure we are highly aware of any signs of symptoms. Because, early detection is key and = higher chances of success. The infographic below is a good starting point.
Finally, other than checking ourselves, let’s remember others in our prayers, and in more practical ways. Find a good cause/community and donate. Or raise funds in other fun ways. I shared some ideas, for raising funds, in this post – That Time I Begged on the streets of London.
Do you have any thoughts / helpful ideas or experience?
And are you more a pink girl or not?
Love,
Kachee…Xx
pS: On international Women’s Day, I shared a post and practical steps that may help avoid discrimination and bias against the girl child. Read it here.
ppS: Please subscribe to the blog, so you don’t miss a post!
Precious
October 23, 2016 at 03:04Thanks for sharing those self-check images, Kachee. I can’t even begin to imagine how it feels to have cancer eating you up. Saying a prayer for every woman tonight.PreciousCore.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
October 25, 2016 at 09:26Thank you Precious!
Abby
October 23, 2016 at 12:26Very insightful & useful post! Thanks for sharing! And I’m sure rooting for you to get through that marathon! You can do it!💪🏾Not a pink girl either. I actually don’t think I have favorite colors as such.Have a Blessed & Favored week ahead!Xx
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
October 23, 2016 at 15:55You too my darling! And yes to the marathon!!
mosimi20
October 23, 2016 at 17:10I like the infographic, did you design it yourself? Nah, I am not a pink girl (I am not even a girly girl whatever that means). I did do a 5k run with Truppr (Theme: Pink October) for Breast Cancer. My friend has a friend Breast Cancer Awareness NGO/Program. You should check her out on twitter @BCanAwareness.https://eattechtravel.wordpress.com/ || Tourism Meets Royalty: Erin Ijesha
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
October 25, 2016 at 09:25Hahahaha. Me make the infographic? Hahahahaa. I wish. It was one UK Beast CancerCare website, and they noted that it was free to share.Well done for running! That’s really cool. And I’ll check out that handle on twitter.
TheShanyiLife
October 23, 2016 at 17:23Hi Kachi boo, long time no talk. I’ve always been a pink girl till recently. I still love pink and it’s my fav after white. Last year I had a surgery which was supposed to take off 4 lumps, two from each but ended up taking off nothing less than 7. My boobs has been my fav part since then. Seeing my scars remind me of the millions of young girls that can’t afford a mammogram cus the only cure for breast cancer remains early detection. No sign should be taken for granted. I shared my experience here http://www.theshanyilife.co…
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
October 23, 2016 at 22:04Wow Girl!! I’m so off to read your story!!
Tega Enai
October 23, 2016 at 18:29Great post as always dear. Thanks for the awareness. I love how social media has taken over breast cancer awareness and how alot of survivors come openly to share their story. Very inspiring! I dont like pink, never did! Blue has always been my colour. I have only one pink skirt. lolTega Enai Blogxoxo
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
October 25, 2016 at 09:27I don’t even know what my colour is. Definitely comes in seasons!I agree with you. Social media has def helped create much more awareness which is great!
Brenda Mobebi
October 23, 2016 at 20:54Your first sentence just got me laughing, why because i also DON’T LIKE pink… Give me brown and all shades of brown and i will love you, lol…First time i saw my mum massaging her breasts in 2009, i was shocked until she said once in a while you have to do so that you will know if there are changes. ever since then i do that. Good health i always pray for women because women are more at risks for so many of these ailments reigning these days.Good work for the awareness and for this post, Kachee.http://www.brendascouch.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
October 25, 2016 at 09:24We cannot really underestimate good health! And it looks like the older we get, the less we like pink! Lol.
Demilade
October 24, 2016 at 09:31This is a very insightful post Kachee, thanks for sharing. It baffles me as well, how in 2016 some people still see girls as inferior. xxcocobellablog.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
October 24, 2016 at 09:33Hey girl! Long time. You’re welcome and have a great week! 💓
Demilade
October 24, 2016 at 09:37Haha ikr! I’ve been so busy (will talk about it in my Wednesday blog post). Have a great week too 🙂
Olaa Bobade
October 24, 2016 at 13:40I was never part of the pink frenzy train. Not because I dislike it but because I just wanted to be different from other girls lol. I love brown and gosh purple. That infographic is just everything rn. I once had a lump scare too but a doctor said it was my breast tissue. Thanks for sharing this post. Why You Should : Walk Deliberately http://Www.laitanbee.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
October 25, 2016 at 09:23I’m not a fan of purple either. Lol. But then my husband just laughs,because I do have a lot of purple items. Thank God it was just a scare!
Praise Abu
October 24, 2016 at 14:59Hi KachiI’ve always been a pink girl until recently but I guess getting older changed that for me. I really enjoyed reading this post, very insightful and quite educative as always.My Style Look Book Series
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
October 24, 2016 at 19:36Thank you Praise!
Bababi
October 24, 2016 at 16:02I really enjoyed this post….and the humour in between. I’m not a “pink” female either but I won’t mind being a “legally blonde” just to create cancer awareness.
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
October 24, 2016 at 19:36I’m so not pink either. But for the awareness, yes please! Thanks Bababi (always tempted to include your real name. lol)
Bababi
October 26, 2016 at 18:54Lol. I’m glad you never fall for the temptation
Pamela
October 24, 2016 at 16:10My to do list this year is to do a mammogram test. It is so sad the rate of underaged marriages and breast cancer diagnosis, my heart and prayers goes out to all the women going through such ordeal and worse.http://heelsandabout.com/4-…
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
October 25, 2016 at 09:28I really should check if I can get that done as well. Thanks for pointing out that out!
Bubu Green
October 24, 2016 at 18:51Thanks for reiterating this awareness. My heart goes out to families who’ve lost a member to cancer of any sort. It is a terrible thing to watch a loved one die slowly. More grace and strength to those fighting it and those who’ve overcome. http://www.bubusboulevard.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
October 25, 2016 at 09:21Amen!! More grace and strength to them indeed.
Funke olotu
October 24, 2016 at 22:59I also DO NOT LIKE PINK, I’m not really a color person tho, but I know that I don’t like pink.I remember when I had typhoid, I thought I was going to die, I can’t imagine the pain cancer patients go through, I’ll keep them in my prayerVery thoughtful post 😊https://funkeolotu.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
October 25, 2016 at 09:20It really can’t be imagined honestly. The least we can do is pray. Thanks Funke!
Sogie
October 25, 2016 at 09:08Really enjoyed reading this post a lot, i really like what you are doing here. Itsdivadiaries.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
October 25, 2016 at 09:20Awww. Thanks Sogie!
Amakamedia
October 25, 2016 at 10:16I enjoyed reading this. You carve your words beautifully. Well done, KacheeTee.amakamedia.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
October 25, 2016 at 15:47Thank you Amaka! Really appreciate.
missgetaway
October 25, 2016 at 11:41Thank you so much for sharing this! I think breast cancer awareness is so incredibly important for women all over the place. Love the sheet you shared – so helpful!Love, Kerstin http://www.missgetaway.com/
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
October 31, 2016 at 10:01You’re welcome Kerstin! Glad you found it helpful and thank you for reading!