Just as every month within the year has special event/s associated with it, the month of August is also unique in its own way especially for women from Igbo land. It is very clear to all and sundry that it is a month in which women who reside in their home communities and those who reside outside their community hold a common meeting. This comprises of women who are indigenes of a particular place by birth or by marriage. Being the eight month of the year, it is well spaced out from the festivity periods like January of New Year, Easter and Christmas seasons. These festive periods attract so many persons to their towns and villages and in order not to travel too frequently, August seems most suitable.
Some people were of the view that August Meeting originated from church meetings arranged and attended by women in Igbo land. These women, it was believed, had the intention of participating fully in the development of the church and welfare of priests. But with the passage of time, these initial intentions later snowballed into an all-embracing outing for women. The content and programme equally shifted from a purely religious one to a social, economic activity and development of the human infrastructure. Human infrastructure Seminars, workshops, exhibitions, health and pep talks, physical exercises, cultural dances, conflict resolutions and peace building exercises are some of the very prominent activities of the women during the August Meeting. Following the prominence and priority attached to this meeting, Igbo women now use it to discuss and fashion out ways of developing themselves, their respective families and transforming their communities.
In so many communities, different groups of women have used this forum and get-together to put to halt so many anomalies found in most of our local communities. In fact, most interesting about this gathering is primarily geared towards the general progress and development of our society.
From all intents and purposes, August Meeting is, therefore, a genuine clarion call made by women to themselves, to constructively build their homes and communities, as well as transform themselves. It is a time they engage their husbands, children, homes, towns and the society positively. However, our women should be reminded that they should not see it as a yearly jamboree and show-offs, rather should allow it to remain a window for community development projects and empowerment initiatives that can turn our local environment around and as well afford our women the opportunity to acquire self-improvement skills and have access to better lives and develop interests in emerging issues that have direct bearing on our wellbeing.
