“Nsuuta, every woman resists. Often it is private. Most of our resistance is so everyday that women don't think twice about it. It is life. Even the worst of us, like Aunt YA, who massage the male ego with "Allow men to be men" are not really shrinking but managing their men.” WomenFeminismEmpowermentResistance Book:A Girl Is a Body of Water Source: A Girl Is a Body of Water
“Promise me you will pass on the story of the first woman -- in whatever form you wish. It was given to me by women in captivity. They lived an awful state of migration, my grandmothers. Telling origin stories was their act of resistance. I only added on a bit here and a bit there. Stories are critical, Kirabo,' she added thoughtfully. 'The minute we fall silent, someone will fill the silence for us.” WomenFeminismEmpowermentResistanceStorytellingMigrationCaptivity Book:A Girl Is a Body of Water Source: A Girl Is a Body of Water
“Children do absolutely nothing on their arrival that warrants presents every year. If anything, they should give presents to their mothers, who come close to death.” Children Book:A Girl Is a Body of Water Source: A Girl Is a Body of Water
“After lunch, mother and daughter sat outside on the porch to talk men. From where the world starts to where it ends, when women start to lament men the sun could drop from the sky and they would not realise.” MenWomenMothersLamentDaughters Book:A Girl Is a Body of Water Source: A Girl Is a Body of Water
“No matter how much a husband loves you, Kirabo, you must buy your own land and build your own house—in case. Most women do it on the stealth, but I say, let him know you are doing it so he knows you have an alternative to his home. Until the law starts to protect us, we must find ways. And Kirabo,” she added, “you should only have children you can bring up on your own. Too many women are trapped in bad marriages because of children.” FeminismFeminist Quotes Author:Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi
“Aunt YA walked in, saw Kirabo, and wailed, 'Tom, you have not loved this child enough!’ and got down on her knees and keened. Uncle Ndiira disappeared. The women picked up Aunt YA’s lament like a tidal wave.” DeathGriefMourningLament Book:A Girl Is a Body of Water Source: A Girl Is a Body of Water
“But me, I was not going to sit around waiting for him to steal a moment for me once a week, once a month. In the end,' she said in English, 'I supplemented him.' 'You suppliwhat?' Kirabo responded in English. Nsuuta was cynical. 'You know why you are shocked, Kirabo? Because women are brought up to treat sex as sacred while men treat it as a snack.” MenCultureSexWomenSexualityMonogamy Book:A Girl Is a Body of Water Source: A Girl Is a Body of Water