Our mothers’ role vital in society, let’s take time to celebrate them

Many events in life are important in innumerable ways but a mother’s role in making the world a better place, truly is. The selflessness with which mothers cuddle the world aside, their ability to nurture children in the best way possible is unparalleled.

Even in the thick of things, a mother’s watchful eyes will hardly allow her children stray. Even in hunger and sickness, a mother’s presence changes change into smiles of hope. This is why on this Mothers’ Day, we celebrate Kenyan mothers as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of each and every mother. Several things make mothers unique.

There are moving stories of those who run orphanages in Kibera slums to give a future to poor, destitute children. Others do menial jobs to ensure their families eat, all in the name of making the world a better place.

It shouldn’t be forgotten that mothers are crucial resource mobilisers. Besides their role in production and economic growth, they provide the society with a most treasured resource – children. On this day, we call on authorities to ensure mothers are not maligned by policies and programmes modelled along the patriarchal nature of the society.

We have to stem teen pregnancies, early marriages, gender violence and all forms of discrimination against women. With the government pursuing the universal health care agenda, we have an obligation to ensure women get quality care.

Pregnancy and childbirth shouldn’t be express tickets to an early grave.

As a country faced with resource constraints, we are duty-bound to ensure food, water and shelter are readily available since in the absence of these, mothers and their children bear the heaviest brunt.

All mothers are special. Today, let’s spare a moment to celebrate them at home, at work or anywhere. Indeed as mother Teresa once said: “Go home and love your family.” Nothing makes a nation happy like the productivity of its people and the assurance that future generations will be defined by great ethos. Happy Mothers Day to all mothers.