Executive Director of Oxfam International, Eng. Winnie Byanyima who is also passionate about justice & human dignity does not believe that women or girls ought to kneel as it is the custom across many cultures across Africa. While stressing her point on Twitter, Winnie stated that there are other ways to show respect other than kneeling.
“Neighbour Leonarda kneels down to greet me. I tell her not to kneel, but she insists that a young woman must show respect by kneeling 2 greet older women & men. I don’t agree, boys don’t kneel. How do we stop this humiliating ritual,” Winnie tweeted.
“Kneeling is not a cultural value, it’s just a cultural practice. We can do without it and find a way to show mutual respect”, she stated. She further stated that women should also not kneel since men are not expected to do so.
