With International Women’s Day approaching on the 8th of March, several articles which caught my eye recently had me reflecting on the fascinating enigma that is the gentler sex.

On the subject of enigmas and women, Rihanna’s behaviour of late has not failed to raise quite a few eyebrows. After the disturbing picture of her battered face circulated the web, following a violent attack by boyfriend Chris Brown en route to the Grammys, a source apparently close to the couple revealed to People.com that the pair are back together again. All it took was three weeks, a lavish diamond gift for her 21st birthday, and a few mumbled sorrys.

I personally couldn’t care less for the details of the private life of Rihanna and Chris Brown (or for any other celebrity for that matter), because as the very words ‘private life’ imply, personal affairs are strictly the business of the individuals involved (and rightly so.) What does concern me, however, is the unmistakable fact that Rihanna is a public figure and a role model to many young women. The question her behaviour raises is not why she has reunited with Chris Brown (she is in love, and love is all forgiving), but rather, will her female fans interpret her behaviour as endorsing the myth that love is strong enough to accept violence?

Hopefully not, yet it is a worryingly common misconception that accommodating your partner’s needs–even the violent ones–are an expression of your love for him (or her.) What disappoints me in Rihanna’s behaviour is the fact that she failed to grasp a valuable opportunity to demonstrate to women that a relationship is built first and foremost upon respect, both for each other and for oneself. Girls, forget the diamonds and the ‘I’m sorrys’, and go back to listening to Aretha Franklin.

A piece of news, however, which is certainly worth celebrating is the recent announcement that AMREF, an international organisation that seeks to ensure the right to good health for Africans, will be supporting a theatrical performance of 20 young African women at Parma’s Teatro delle Briciole.

Aged between 14 and 18 years old, these young Kenyan damsels were born and raised in the appalling slums of Nairobi, where practically all forms of human rights are denied and sexual and physical abuse occurs daily. However, with the help of AMREF, they have escaped such dire conditions and are now part of the Malkia Theatre ( ‘malkia’ meaning ‘queen’ in swahili), with which they will be participating in this artistic event that will be taking place from 7 to 9 March. 

An event that is set to highlight an alternative vision of justice, it will also mark the launch of Malkia Style, a space that will host the women’s handmade products created thanks to the economic independence this initiative has given them. Alongside their performances, artist Abel Herrero and film producer Angelo Loy will be presenting their works documenting the extreme poverty and hardships endured within these slums.

This is a truly heart-warming initiative and one that will set a truly inspiring example to countless of women across the world–Rihanna included.

Image courtesy of Hairstyles-haircuts.net