Even in a patriarchal society, women can succeed

 Even in a patriarchal society, women can succeed’

Using illustrations from MargaretOgola’sThe River and the Source, write an essay in support of the above statement.           

It is beyond doubt that women can flourish even in societies that are male dominated.

To begin with, Akoko stands out to be successful when she becomes economically independent and has amassed a lot of wealth which is not the expectation in the society. It was expected that a man was and remains the sole bread winner in a family and he owned the wife body and soul

Akoko thrives amidst men when she becomes the first person to seek justice in the hands of the white men and  also succeeds to drive out the gluttonous Otieno Kembo from the chief’s stool. She takes the initiative to defend her property and fights for the future of her grandson’s chieftaincy  and is successful. Akoko does this in spite of the availability of men who could have fought for the injustice wrought by Otieno Kembo.

Success women in leadership roles also evident. Leadership was set aside for males and women were not supposed to claim any position in leadership. Thus illustrated in Vera when she becomes the first woman / girl to become a captain in her school, she also pursues engineering a course believed to be for the males only.

Wandia also becomes successful when she becomes the only female among men in her medical

class. She also beats males in exams. She Also becomes the first woman in the country to achieve a doctorate degree in medicine.

Success in education is seen in Elizabeth Awiti when she becomes the only female among her

classmates. She becomes top in her class and gets admission to teacher training college. All in all the purpose of female existence was marriage and child bearing and bring wealth to the family. This is outdone by Elizabeth and she succeeds eventually becomes a teacher.

In conclusion it is clear that women can flourish even in patriarchal society.