Are Nigerian women endangered species
Every year on the 8th of March, we join the rest of the world to commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD). This day was originally created to promote the rights of women and girls and eliminate any forms of discrimination against them. While we acknowledge the progress made since the original commemoration in 1911, a lot still needs to be accomplished, if we are to create a sustainable future for women and girls.
This year’s theme: “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment”, reminds us of the inter-connectedness of these 3 fundamental principles. Notably, rights are the foundation upon which equality is built while equality is essential for empowerment to happen i.e. availing the socio-economic services (such as education, healthcare, leadership and economic opportunities), the productive resources and the opportunities for men, women, boys and girls to thrive.
In addition, the theme calls for us all to rally behind women, particularly young women and adolescent girls, break the chains of discrimination and create a future where everybody has equal rights, power and opportunities to thrive.
In Nigeria, this is hardly the reality as the average woman is gradually becoming an endangered species with the increasing rate of various forms of violence being meted on her. From physical, emotional, and psychological torture, sexual and domestic violence, she seems to be at risk for just being a woman. Women are being dehumanised by the male folk just because she is a woman. Being called the weaker sex, she is expected to be at the mercy of the man.
Unfortunately, nowhere seems safe for the Nigerian woman and Nigeria keeps happening to them in a negative way. The home which is supposed to be a safe haven is no longer like that. A woman always has to look behind her to ensure that she is safe.
From every nook and cranny of the country, we hear and see daily on the various media heart-wrenching tales of the female who are tortured, raped, beaten to a pulp, sometimes even to death. They are faced with life-threatening attacks in their workplace, community, family, and from people who should protect them.
Even some of the laws promulgated tend to favour the men over the women. A woman who dares to speak up against injustice is seen as a loose woman.
If women dare to speak up, they will be humiliated and cast aside. Colleagues—even fellow women—will stand by in silence and watch you walk away in shame while your oppression has a smirk on his face. While the men are easily left off the hook, the womenfolk have it tougher. Most times, we are told it’s a man’s world after all.
The recent happening in the Nigerian Senate is just a case in point. It is about every woman in Nigeria who has ever been harassed, ignored, or shut down for daring to exist in spaces dominated by men; for daring to stand against her male oppressor.
But history has shown us something: change does not come from silence. Every woman who has fought for justice has been called “troublesome” or “stubborn” some point. If that is the price of change, then so be it.
We hear several stories of women being maltreated by their husbands; some are not even allowed to work even with their certificates and yet the husbands do not provide their needs. They are at the mercy of whatever the husband says. If and when some are privileged to work, they are made to remit their salaries to their husbands who are also working.
I read a story recently where it was discovered that a man had asked his two wives to have their salaries paid directly into his account. The story has it that both wives were employed in the same establishment. In that particular month, the salary was not paid on time because of some hitches. The MD/CEO who is a female decided to take it upon herself to make payments. In the process, she discovered two similar names that were not on the staff register. On further enquiry, it was discovered that the name belonged to a man who is the husband of two of the female staff. Apparently, this had been going on for some time with the full knowledge of the Accountant who was also a male. The irony of this is that, the man gave them peanuts for transportation and the money got from the women would be used to marry another wife.
In some situations, the male child is given preferential treatment over the female child especially in cases where one has to give in for the other to be sent to school. Your guess is as good as mine.
Even in situations were a marriage breaks down, the woman is left to cater for the children, most times singlehandedly. She is even shamed by her fellow women. In cases we have the widowhood rites, it is the women that are even carrying out the evil deeds.
Men see the women as second fiddle. They want her to be seen and not heard. She becomes a threat to them if she is able to express herself.
While in other climes you see women rising to positions of authority in whichever field the find themselves, it actually seems like a taboo in Nigeria. A woman can not be said to rise through the ranks without being called names. We are made to believe that she has to give something to get something. In the political space, how many women are really allowed to prove themselves? Men hold clandestine meetings when they know that women cannot actually participate at such times- late into the night. Men actually feel threatened by high flying women who are dedicated and goal getters. The want to clip their wings. Even men in their old age do not want their wives to be seen with other women.
Some cultures have actually made men demi gods and women slaves to such demi gods. Women are at their beck and call. A former Nigerian President referred to his wife as being meant for the ‘other room.’
Suffice to say that there are men who support women hundred percent to be at their best and give their all, however many of them are threatened by the success of women.
Women with potentials need to be encouraged. Times are changing and it’s no longer only a man’s world. God created us all (male and female) in His image and likeness and we are all equal before him. The saying that it’s a man’s world is a way of making the woman a second class citizen, an endangered specie. It is high time we changed the narrative. What is good for the goose in terms of a good and standard life is also good for the gander. Nigeria and to a large extent, the world will be a better place if women are given fair hearing.
To all those women supporting the male gender against the female gender either because of what you stand to gain or for mischief purposes, remember what goes around comes around. The theme for every International Women’s Day can only make sense and be woth it if we do the needful.
