Citizen TV News Anchor Yvonne Okwara took to social media to reveal the problems dark-skinned women experience in Kenya.
Yvonne urged Kenyans to fix their prejudice problems at home before talking about black lives matter (BLM) movement in America.
This is because dark-skinned women face discrimination in Kenya, especially when it comes to employment.
They have to work extra hard just to have a seat at the table while their light-skinned counterparts easily get opportunities.
“Darker skinned girls and women are treated differently. We have to work twice as hard, be twice as smart to get ahead, because, what else do we have going for us, right?” asked the renowned journalist.
Okwara facing discrimination at work
The outspoken journalist revealed how she was discriminated against at work because of her dark skin.
Yvonne Okwara said people held her to higher standards because she did not fit the set beauty standards and had to work harder than the rest.
According to Yvonne, light-skinned colleagues don’t face strict consequences like other women if they happen to make mistakes.
“On a personal note, it’s not been easy for me. Especially in this industry, I’ve seen the privilege that light skin has accorded others. I’ve seen them get away with murder, when I’ve been held to a higher standard,” the Explainer host said.
“I’ve been expected to be smarter because, “you don’t have the looks so you’ve got to use your brain instead” It hasn’t been easy, it’s exhausting at times, but it’s also rewarding. But it needs to change.”
According to the celebrated media personality, light-skinned women have better chances of advancing their careers and improving their lives.
This is because they have more opportunities as they fit the beauty standards set in Kenya.
“Because, inadvertently or otherwise this is the standard that has been set: light skin=beauty=opportunity=work=wealth=good marriage=beautiful children. It’s these attitudes that have fuelled the skin-lightening industry,” the citizen TV anchor revealed.
Yvonne said these attitudes overwhelm dark-skinned women who eventually get tired of fighting the stereotype and starting from a disadvantaged position and end up bleaching their skin.
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“Before you stand up for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, before you judge men and women for lightening their skin, telling them to love their skin, why not examine what got us here and how we got here?” the co-host of Newsgang said.
