Arts/Literary
The Travail Of Nigerian Woman
Title: WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: Its Relation To National Development And Human Rights
Pages: 209
Author: Adanna Chinedu Madu
Reviewer: Sylvia ThankGod Amadi
The latest work in the stable of Adanna Chinedu Madu’s collections, titled Women Empowerment: Its Relation to National Development and Human Rights, could best be described as a voice for a maginalised folk. The 209-page documentation with eight chapters basically chronicles the plight of the Trans-Saharan woman in general and the Nigerian woman in particular. It is, to say the least, a compendium of all the problems and inhibitions faced by the Nigerian women.
The writer in this emotion-laden write-up x-rays and presents in its raw nature, the typical rural woman encompassed with a lot of handicaps and yet saddled with a task to survive with limited assistance. The pictorial representation on the book-cover summarises it all.
Adanna Chinedu Madu brings her high profile and experience as a lawyer and human rights activist to bear on this book.
In her introduction, the writer traced her memory back to 1948 when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted. She pointed out that ever since, there had been many formal commitment such as treaties, charters, conventions and protocols at the global and regional levels to affirm the inherent dignity, as well as the equal and inalienable rights of all human beings irrespective of sex, race or class. Among these are gender-specific protections, which advance the dignity of women and put them on an equal standing with other members of the human community before the law.
The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa respectively represent such international and regional human rights standards that have been willingly accented to and ratified by our dear country, “Nigeria”
However, Madu is worried that amidst all these ratifications, their domestication have remained a far cry, hence gender-based discrimination persists in Nigeria. Women in Nigeria continue to suffer domestic violence, widowhood practices, inheritance and property rights violations, women trafficking, child-marriage, male child preference, denial of rights to control women fertility, female genital mutilation and differential opportunities in education, political participation and access to justice.
Madu’s credit rests on her ability to use facts and figures accurately. The authority she commands and the patience she exhibits in her presentation leaves no doubt in the mind of any reader that she is not only writing for an academic archive but also poses as a practical crusader and an emancipator of the down-trodden majority.
The case of Miss Okere and Mr. Abdul-Azeez who were assaulted by four Naval ratings on the 5th of November, 2008, for allegedly delaying them in traffic on Muri Okunola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos while on the convoy of a Rear Admiral, and which was judged by Justice Oke in the favour of the assaulted was not a Nollywood movie but a true story of how the downtrodden majority, especially women are being subjected to degradation and inhuman treatment.
So also, the forceful ejection of women Police married to civilians from Police barracks, an initiative of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Onovo through a letter dated December 15, 2009, which was later crippled following an order issued to the IGP by the House of Representatives in January 2009, to stop the ejection order, captures one of the travails of women in Nigeria.
The 209 page book also highlights some of the perceptions about women as: baby making machines, sex slaves, a folk inferior to men or second-class citizen. But the writer is of the opinion that women should vehemently refuse the place of the second-class citizen which the society has consciously placed them.
A thorough digest of this book leaves a picture of a woman troubled by her immediate environment, her religion, her culture and customs and even her own nature. The book also tells the story of how a woman is incapacitated by the conscious denial of obvious rights that would have otherwise assisted her to access her escape or breakthrough, and how Nigerian woman is eventually subjected and relegated to a mental arena of “cannot-help situation.” Even when the panacea to her situation is in sight, she lacks the will and courage to embrace it and bring about her eventual breakthrough.
However, the writer did not leave her audience without a hope. While she calls on the authorities that control the machinery of States to rise up to their responsibility and give credence to the resolutions of the afore-mentioned treaties which they were signatory to, by domesticating them, she dwells extensively on how victims of rights abuses can benefit from the new rules, even when they are too impecunious to hire the services of lawyers. She enjoins the oppressed women to take advantage of such facilities as the Lagos State Government’s office of the Public Defenders, Legal Aid Council, as well as free legal services of human rights organisations to seek redress in courts of law.
In all, working hard to bridge the wide gap between the Nigerian woman and her male counterpart is a cardinal issue in this book. Therefore, the author empirically states that “empowering women is integral and tantamount to the success and advancement of national development and human rights”.
The book is billed to be launched on November 25, 2010 in Port Harcourt by the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA).
Social/Kiddies
Need For Girl-Child Education In Society
Girl-child education is a way by which a girl- child is being exposed through formal education for proper education.
It is a process whereby a girl-child is being exposed to some certain things according to “teachmit@wp”.
Girl-child education refers to the aspect of education that ends at developing the skills and knowledge of girls and women no matter their backgrounds.
Some parents think that educating a girl- child is wasting of their resources. No. When a female child is educated, it gives her that respect even the husband cannot treat her anyhow because he will know her worth.
The importance of educating the girl- child cannot be overemphasised. It helps to empower the country and makes them have a better life. Once they are educated, they realise the importance of exhibiting good hygiene habits.
It may interest you to know that when a girl-child is educated, she has a sense of belonging in the society. In Nigeria nowadays, they have the potential of becoming governors, chairmen of local government areas, among others.
The tendency of taking cognisance of the importance of reduction in child bearing is high. When a woman is educated, the level in which she will give birth will reduce considering the dangers inherent.
Firstly, she will calculate herself and know when to conceive, although with the consent of her husband and the numbers of children she wants.
A girl who is educated will know how to educate her children properly. She will be of good benefits to the family.
Truly, a girl who is not properly educated will suffer lack of knowledge, fall into early marriage which will lead into early pregnancy. Some of these can cause domestic violence.
Women need education because without proper knowledge, a woman cannot run her home properly. A woman that is educated leads her home aright.
Some men use and take advantage of uneducated women by rendering all kinds of abuses on them, some rape their wives in course of making love and others insults their wives in public all because there is no education. In life, males and females should be educated without discrimination.
Furthermore, educating a girl-child is like investing in a big business that one will not run into a loss.
According to Dr Shaifali, girls’ education is like sowing the seed which gives rise to a revitalised, cheerful and full-grown family plants.
She also said educated women have the capacity to bring socio- economic changes.
Growing up from the family of three, my father told me that he was not ready to train a female child and when I asked why, he said: ” because when you will grow and become great, then, a man will come from nowhere and marry you and all my money will be wasted. When you marry, your name will be changed that means all your riches and wealth will become your husband’s own because you people are one”.
Frankly, I was very bitter with myself and I started questioning God that why was I not created as man, but I took it upon myself that weather the devil likes it or not, I will prove my father wrong by going to school and I will show the difference.
As parents when training children we should not think less of any child because every child is important and have value.
Every child is a blessing from God. This is a clarion call to all men of our present society to accord their wives the respect they deserve. A man can develop his wife after marriage.
Education plays an important role in the life of a girl-child. Let every girl-child be educated. The government should provide the society with basic amenities such as good schools that are well-equipped.
Parents from time to time should be re-oriented in this regard taking cognisance of the importance of developing the girl-child. None should be misled by saying that the girl-child need not attend formal education.
Since some parents do not have the wherewithal to sponsor their children, governments at all levels should introduce free education to give room for equal opportunity. Bursary payment should be re-introduced in all higher educational institutions.
Education is the bedrock of any society therefore women education cannot end in the kitchen.
Princess Npapa
Princess Npapa is a student of Pan Africa Institute of Management and Technology.
Social/Kiddies
Celebrating Woman As An Icon Of Strength
A woman is a dynamic multifaceted individual who embodies resilience, courage and determination.
She is a game changer and a force to be reckon with, a confidant empowered, supportive, adaptable and inspirational.
Many had asked why women are being celebrated even as recorded in calendar so frequently unlike men and I said, a woman being multifaceted and embodies resilience and determination is worth being celebrated unlike in the 80s when women were meant to understand that their place was in the kitchen of their husbands’ houses.
What an amazing level of development where women can choose a career and work on themselves and know that there is more to life than being in the kitchen and ending up in a man’s house with nothing to show for it.
Women are the strongest versions of the gender of humans in the world even in their silence, women hold a depth of emotions, questions and unspoken thoughts. Their smiles often conceal their true feelings, masking their fears, doubts and desires.
Despite these challenges, women continue to rise above, shattering glass ceilings and pushing boundaries.
Today innovative, women are enterprenuers, leaders, and change agents. Inspiring women like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Chimamanda Adichie and many others have paved the way for future generation, their achievements serve as testaments to women’s strength, resilience and capabilities.
The calendar tell us how unique the woman is and her significance in the home and society at large. As a woman, she holds power and I celebrate every woman out there in the world irrespective of how you may have fallen, you shall rise above the challenges, support one another and celebrate collective strength and resilience.
Woman as an icon of strength is not just about individual achievements but creating supportive networks, uplifting others and celebrating collective success, defying expectations and redefining what it means to be a strong woman.
The strength and bravery of women are worthy of celebration by the entire world as none is unique as the epitome of nation builders, character molders and pacesetters not just in their family but to the society at large.
A woman is a selfless mother, lover and care giver to her family, a daughter who supports her parents, as a sister’s unshakeable bond with her siblings and a friends unconditional empathy and understanding.
These acts of kindness and love are not most times talked about but hold families and communities together and bonding strong women are powerful beings who have impacted the society, shaping the foundation of the world from the 80s to date, I personally want to celebrate all the icons of strength who had fought and are still fighting , that our voices as women are heard even unto the ends of time.
I celebrate you all amazing women for standing strong and paving ways for the future generation for equality, justice and human rights. To the rising child, teenager and adults who happen to be a ‘woman’, I celebrate our collective efforts, our strength in helping one another to rise, irrespective of our differences in our backgrounds.
We are super humans, unique beings, no wonder the Bible acknowledges the importance of our strength. Therefore, let’s celebrate every woman out there.
Kate Chisom Isiocha
Isiocha, is a student of Temple Gate Polytechnic.
Social/Kiddies
Children And Basics Of Family
It is the idea of God that family should exit. Children form part of the family. God loves family so much that Jesus was born into the family of Joseph.
Everyone’s family is good and important. Children should not look down on their family whether they are rich or poor.
Children should respect and honour their family and foster love among their siblings. They should work together and make peace in the family. They should always stand in the gap. It is good for family members to carry all along since everyone may not be doing well.
The Christianity that children learn is practised in family. Faith-based organisations do a great job in moulding children’s character. Those are the behaviours that children exhibit towards siblings in family.
Every child born in a family is there for a purpose. A baby born into a family is supplying something. It may be joy, wealth and so on. Everyone is important in a family.
Adolescents who have graduated from school but may not be contributing financially can do one or two things at home. You can engage in preparing meals at home while parents are away for a job or business. Contributing in house chores will go a long way to relieve parents of stress after a day’s job.
What do you contribute to your family, especially during holidays both in nuclear and extended family?
The family you were born is constant but friends are temporary. You can decide not to continue in friendship but you cannot cut off your family. No matter how bad you think your family is and you decide to leave home, you must surely return. Your friends can harbour you for a while.
The child’s first identity comes from the family. What the child learns first comes from the family.
Family is the centre of love and care. People have started playing down on marriage because of neglect on basics of family. Marriage starts today and and the next few months, it is threatened. Respect for family plays a crucial role in marriage.
No child grows without parental control and influence. If a child refuses to grow without taking instructions from parents, he may grow up being wild. There are consequences when children do not obey their parents. There are those who want to be rebellious against their parents. They should know that their length of days are tied to their parents.
Your bioligical parents know you more than every other person. There is the wisdom and knowledge your parents have that you do not so it is proper to listen to them before choosing carriers both in academics and job. A young man or woman can choose who to get married to, but a greater role in the choice of who to marry and the marriage proper comes from the parents.
They know what is best for you. No matter how modern trends will influence you and prove it wrong, parent is the key. No one can love you more than your parents because they are your blood.
A lot of parents have been traumatised due to the fact that children they nurtured and trained turned their back on them at older age. Children should not abandon their parents for any reason.
As you grow up, situations may arise in marriage when you decide it is over with your spouse, but no matter the level of provocation with your parents, they will not despise you. Parents will also play a role in that regard. Problem arises in every family but how it is handled matters a lot.
Some children honour their mentors more than their parents. Although there are parents who shy away from their responsibilities. It is important that parents take full responsibility of their children. You cannot bring a child to the planet earth and refuse to perform roles as a parent. But parents may not quantify what they spent from childhood to adolescence. That is a blessing children cannot get from another person.
There are people who have attributed their failure in life to the fact that their parents, especially mothers are witchcraft. It is wrong to feel that your mother is instrumental to your failure in life. The only way to success is hardwork.
Let money not determine the level of love for your parents. Wherever a child goes, family is constant.
Eunice Choko-Kayode
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