Women
Reducing Violence Against Women And Girls
Reducing Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)is gradually becoming a global ashtag. In public fora, print and electronic media, the ‘how’ to reduce the wave of violence against women and girls now dominates agenda and programmes more than ever.
This concern stems from the spate of kidnappings and abductions across the states of the federation in addition to violence and conflict for which women and girls have remained vulnerable to its effects, as they are often the first to suffer and the last to be protected. Although Chibok incidence highlighted this trend, it wasn’t the first neither has it become the last time that girls would be the target of exploitation and violence in Nigeria.
However, some social analysts have posited that the much ado about violence against women and girls may remain endless, should the society continue in its reactionary posture rather than a preventive one, in its effort at combating the menace.
In the face of social stigma and emotional trauma that the victims of violence go through, they are reluctant to report acts of violence by bringing perpetrators to justice, many are scared of how they would be looked at should they publicise their ordeal, thus they are forced to hide their pains in shame. But for how long will this continue?
Fortunately, some notable efforts have been spotted in this direction. Over the past three years, the Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Program (NSRP) and the Fund for Peace (FFP) in collaboration with partners across eight target states in Nigeria, have been on the wheels to ensure increased reporting and awareness about violence affecting women and girls.
They suggest that only a proactive measure would seem to signal a light at the end of the tunnel as this culture of silence has long pervaded the landscape.
Just last week, the city of Port Harcourt played host to a 2-day workshop on reducing violence against women and girls through conflict early warning, facilitated by partnership initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) and the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN). The event which brought together stakeholders from the public, private and non-governmental organisations; shared ideas and collaborations on responding to violence against women and girls.
One thought that was stressed, points to the fact that violence against women has lingered inspite of campaigns from various angles against it because those at the fore-front of the campaigns merely emphasise gender, without leveraging on early warning for faster response.
The Cordinator of Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta, Mr Nkasi Wodu, said lack of early earnings has been the bane of efforts towards eradication of violence against women and girls. In his view, early warning creates room for preventive response, and not the reactional type that the society is used to.
In her own speech, the scribe of the Medical Women Association, Rivers State, Dr Vetty Agala, pointed out culture/tradition, conflict situation, ignorance and low economic empowerment of women as core drivers of violence against women. She emphasized that the culture of stigma and silence must be broken for a result-oriented fight against violence on women and girls.
Meanwhile, publisher of National Point Newspaper, Constance Meju, has called for a follow up on police gender desk. Contributing to the forum’s discussion, Meju said it is time the society moved from merely sensitizing the women on their rights, to enforcing the laws on the right of women and children.
Corroborating her thought, the leader of women journalists in the state, Mrs Okonkwo-Ogabu Lilian, said enforcement of the law on violence against women and girls where perpetrators would be brought to book, remains the only pancea to curbing violence against women and girls.
Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi
Women
Nigeria Deserves Stylish, Sophisticated Designs-Igiebor Daddy Lucky
IVY-K Fashion by Igiebor Daddy Lucky, a Nigerian-born designer now based in the UK, has launched the latest menswear line, Dapper Man.
One of the collection’s strengths is its classic, clean aesthetic. Dapper Man delivers sharp, structured suits in a timeless black and white color scheme that exudes a sense of luxury and professionalism. The use of high-quality fabrics like wool and silk ensures that the suits not only look high-end but also feel luxurious to the wearer. The designer’s focus on detail is evident in the meticulous tailoring, with fitted blazers and crisp trousers forming the foundation of the collection.
Where IVY-K Fashion shines is in the subtle yet elegant touches. The inclusion of beads as embellishments on lapels and cuffs adds a unique flair, blending traditional craft with modern tailoring. This nod to African heritage gives the collection a distinct identity, offering something more personal and culturally significant than your standard menswear line.
However, despite the elegance of the Dapper Man collection, there is a lingering sense of missed opportunity. The black-and-white color palette, while classic, feels overly safe. In a fashion landscape where bold colors and daring patterns often make the strongest impact, the collection could benefit from incorporating more vibrant hues or experimenting with unconventional fabrics. Pushing the envelope with color or texture could elevate these designs from simply elegant to truly memorable.
In addition, while the tailoring of the blazers and trousers is immaculate, the collection lacks a sense of playfulness or modern edge that many contemporary menswear lines are embracing. The suits are undoubtedly stylish, but the collection as a whole leans heavily on tradition. Experimenting with asymmetrical cuts, bold patterns, or even layering could add an exciting dimension to Dapper Man. The challenge is to maintain the sleek sophistication of the collection while infusing it with a fresh, innovative spirit.
Another area that could use improvement is the overall cohesion of the collection. While the suits are well-crafted, there is a feeling of repetition across the pieces. More variation in design, such as different lapel styles, pocket configurations, or even bolder accessories, would give the collection greater diversity and visual interest.
In conclusion, Dapper Man by Igiebor Daddy Lucky showcases the designer’s strong grasp of classic tailoring and elegant design, but to truly capture the attention of a broader audience, IVY-K Fashion would benefit from more daring choices. By infusing the collection with bold colors, unexpected textures, and a more modern edge, Dapper Man could move from a well-crafted line to a trendsetting force in men’s fashion. With such a solid foundation, there’s no doubt that Igiebor Daddy Lucky has the potential to lead his brand toward greater heights
Women
Women Can Curb Indecent Dressing
The trend of indecent dressing all in the name of fashion is fast becoming a norm in our generation and society at large. Most married women embrace this fashion as competition with single ladies.
Different scholars have given an in depth insight about dressing as a tool of communication. Non-verbal communication has been asserted as the communication between people by the means of signs or symbols. It conveys what we wish to disseminate to the public as either intentionally or not.
According to Paul Ekman and Michael Argyle, communication is carried out through what has been classified as “Presentational Code”. He listed nine codes of non-verbal communication, as body contact, facial expression, gestures, postures, eye movement, proximity, orientation, head nods and appearance.
This, being stated, married and single ladies should understand that their mode of dressing is communicative be it directly or indirectly as such body parts we call “private” are now being made public because of the trends or wearing of transparent dresses and this in turn calls on the attention of men who are weak and prone to illicit thoughts thus, resulting to most rape cases in our society.
This indecent dressing by most ladies has denied many their future husbands. The truth is that a man is attracted to his kind; his desires in marriage. It is often asserted that decency and beauty are in the eyes of the beholder, yet, in trending times of this 21st century, dress code and fashion in nudity form is gaining popularity.
This has become complicated as most men tend to toggle between their emotions (lust) and sanity (rationality) in terms of marriage, thereby setting a wrong foundation upon which most marriages are consummated.
On the other hand, most married women have embraced the trend of indecent dressing nipping it on the state of it being the choice dressing, approved by their spouses, leaving society with the question of what “responsible” man would prefer that the secrecy of the benefit of his marital vow has become the centre of attraction and viewership by the general public.
Hence, communicating with their dressing gas given licence to every male gender who is interested or attracted to what they see to make unsolicited sexual passes at them, which might be considered embarrassing.
At this juncture, it is important to state that ladies should dress decently knowing that they are the epitome of nation-building, they are nation-builders, character moulders and pacesetters not just in the lives of their families but to the society at large.
In most occasions, there are no clear border lines between the married women and the single ladies because of the rate of scanty dressing which has close the gap of differences.
Women and girls should embrace this call awakening to decent mode of dressing. Dresses that are meant to be worn indoors should remain indoors.
It is worrisome to see ladies wear shorts that are supposed to be worn in the living room on the streets without shame. This is an awakening call to our ladies, married and singles that the opposite sex do not expose their private body parts for the public. Sometimes, the ladies go about in the streets without wearing brazziers as to showcase their nipples.
The society should be sanitised of the menace of indecent dressing that is lurking and taking over the entire nooks and crannies of the society and the nation at large.
Let it be known that he or she is addressed in the manner he or she is dressed. There may be no room for a second impression. To the single ladies, your dressing decently will not stop you from meeting your Mr Right rather, it will increase your stake and place you on the list of most valued women in the society.
Dressing speaks louder than words.
Kate Chisom Isiocha
Isiocha is an OND final year student of Temple Gate Polytechnic.
Women
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