ASIKE - A name with a symbolic meaning

In Oromo culture, the siiqqee is a traditional tool of women's Empowerment.

A Siiqqee is a carved stick traditionally given to women of the Oromo peoples of Ethiopia on the day of their wedding, a tradition that has mostly disappeared today. It symbolised the importance of their role in the household. As this symbol, it clearly embodied the respect due a wife and mother. If or when a married woman ever had difficulties with her husband, she could take this Siiqqee and walk out into the village streets. Other women, upon seeing her, would take their own Siiqqees and join her at a rallying place. There they would wait until the men in the village came to find them and the issue was resolved. Thus siiqqee is a symbolic regulator of a healthy and balanced relationship of power between female and male Oromo for as long as they live. Siiqqee is involved with all the activities of life, not of death In this way, the term Siiqqee can only embody the respect owed women.

It is the ideal symbol for the work undertaken by African Sisters for Information, Knowledge and Empowerment or ASIKE.

Since our inception in 2005, we have been encouraged by the support of prominent women leaders and community role models. In August of 2006, we hosted a reception for Her Excellency, First Lady of Cape Verde, and in March 2007, Her Excellency Dr. Faida Mitifu, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo was Guest of honor at our Inaugural Banquet.

We have conducted non-profit capacity building and Cultural Translation Seminars for the African and Atlanta community, in partnership with the Decatur Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. One of our Signature events is the ASIKE Annual Health Day, where health information specific to women of African descent is disseminated; we plan to develop our ASIKE Healthline, organize an Annual Community Dialogue with leaders in the African community, and develop leadership workshops for women of African descent.

Currently uniting women from:

With more to come...