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We Need Blueprint On Women Development – Dr Thom -Manuel

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Former Publicity Secretary of National Council of Women. Societies(NCWS), Dr. Nimi Thom-Manuel, has called for a blueprint for women development.
In an exclusive interview with The Tide, Dr. Tom-Manuel said over the years, there has been decline in women’s participation in politics and governance.
She stated that apart from former President Goodluck Jonathan who involved women in governance, the present government led by President Muhammadu Buhari has put women in backwaters.
“Now, we have two or three women in the cabinet unlike before when we had about 12. We had Okonjo -Iweala , we had Akunyili and other first brains in their various careers, “ Tom Manuel said.
Pointing out that lack of a deliberate policy to empower women has led to poor inclusion of women in governance and politics. She blamed the situation on poor policy framework, recalling that the Beijing Conference laid the foundation for inclusion of women in governance.
As far as she was concerned the Affirmative Action provided the blueprint for evolving programmes and policies for women world all over.
“When I was the publicity secretary of NCWS under the leadership of Hajia Laila Dogonyaro, we participated in the Bienjing Conference and made presentations for Nigeria. Unfortunately, what we proposed were not adopted here, if not by now we would have gotten up to 40 per cent of women in governance.
“ For me , I don’t beleive in 30 per cent. It should be 50-50 though in this kind of society, it’s difficult, but women should push their way up,” Tom-Manuel maiantained.
Part of the current handicap she explained comes from education. Highlighting education as one way women could compete in leadership positions, she used herself as an example as she currently serves on the board of the Rivers State Housing and Property Development Authority.
As far she is concerned there is no end to knowledge and to her lies the power to change society, as she challenged the womenfolk to acquire more knowledge.
Further stressing on the role of women in governance ,the woman activist reasoned that there is a gradual decline in women’s participation in politics citing the case of Rivers State.
“ Today there is only one woman amongst 32-member Assembly, so what can she do?
“ We used to have four before and I thought that by now they would have exceeded that figure unfortunately it’s not so. But I thank our governor, Nyesom Wike, for what he has done at the local level where all the vice chairpersons are women, “ she emphasised.
Thom-Manuel submitted that women have huge role to play to stabilise the polity, “ Women leaders have a lot of role to play now. They could be mediators, managers and entrepreneurs. “
Another area she wants women to be alert and arm themselves is in choosing their mates and spouses. She believes that education and exposure play key roles in choosing one’s spouse.
Thom -Manuel attributed the rising divorce rate to male chauvinism and the failure of many women to choose their spouses based on educational and emotional similarities.
She stated that many women in the quest to settle down overlook such factors which later destroy the marriage due to fear from the males that their women are much exposed and educated.
“ If you and your spouse are educated, and operate on the same emotional and psychological level, then it will be difficult for your husband to see your success as a threat.
Dr. Thom-Manuel studied in England. She had her first degree in Botany from London University and she came back to Nigeria in 1974. On her return she took up a brief teaching job with the state government. But she went back to London for more studies after her short stint in teaching.
She returned to London and did a Post Graduate Diploma in International Journalism in Newcastle University. On completion she came back and took up job with the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation and rose to become Woman Editor within 14 years of her service.
She voluntarily retired and went back to the school to start a fresh undergraduate programme to read Mass communication at the then Rivers State University of Science and Technology. She went further to do her Masters at University of Port Harcourt in Political Science and later a doctor of philosophy in International Relations from the same university.

 

Ibinabo Ogolo & Kevin Nengia

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Women, Birth And Population Control

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Some persons due to religious belief are not in support of family planning. For birth control to be effective, we must redefine our religious belief of “Na God dey give pikin”. Some believe that family planning is evil. Let such practice not deceive women.
It is important to have children for many reasons but it should not be abused.
Women should be sensitized in this regard. Not just that, empowerment is also necessary for such category of women. When a woman is empowered and busy, she produces less unlike when she is idle. Her spouse may want her to be producing as many children as possible since that may be the only work she can do.
The woman’s body needs rest. She does not have to stress herself every year to make babies. Pregnancy is not food that can be forced into a woman’s mouth.
The awareness should start from the rural areas because that is where the issue is. Although many of them have been sensitized severally. There are also those in the urban and it’s environs have got enough information about family planning.
Another way women can help solve the problem is when they refuse to make themselves available as second, third and fourth wives. Women should not present themselves as second-hand materials.
The female gender need stay alive to nurture the ones they have got. I’m not sure there’s any award for highest child bearing family.
There’s always competition in polygamous homes where some women want to be seen as the champion in highest number of children they cannot cater for. If a lady gets married to a single man, both of them will plan the family the way it will suit them.
It is worrisome to see a family whose income is below standard giving birth to seven to ten children. Taking 3-square meal becomes a problem. Children fighting on small quantities of food. In such situation, a lot of the children drop out of school and engage in social vices.
Another measure has to do with avoidance of illicit sex. Women should discuss and note when to meet their husbands. The mentality that my husband will not support should be discouraged. If women seek the opinion of their husbands in the right way, definitely they will get their support.
There is nothing wrong about that.
Women experience safe period monthly so should calculate appropriately. They can have protected sex which will not produce a child at the end of the day.
When you visit the health facilities, especially during anti- natal sessions, the professionals always teach the women what to do.
There are instances where women discouraged their folks from family planning and at the end of the day regret when pregnancy occurs. Women cannot control child bearing by listening to older ones in the neighborhood. That someone is older than you does not mean that she will help you control unnecessary child- bearing.
Time has come when husbands should support their wives in that regard.
It has also been recorded that some cultures go against birth control so orientation and re-orientation should continue in families, community and the society at large.
Recently the world observed world population day and it was discovered that population is increasing rapidly.
Report has it that population rate in Nigeria is approximately 229.1m.
Unfortunately, some births are allegedly not registered in the approved health facilities as it becomes difficult to get the accurate number of births per day.
Government at every level can help with policies that can help control birth and manage population. Beyond that, families should be assisted in providing social needs because having more children will increase poverty.
Maximum of two to three children can help reduce population. In years past, relevant authorities had proposed four children per family but I am in doubt if that policy is still working.
When population is reduced, everyone in the society will be carried along including People Living With Disability.
Government has a great role to play but the human beings who bear and produce children have greater role to play.
This year’s theme is: “Leave no one behind, count everyone”.

Eunice Choko-Kayode

 

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Why Ladies Should Go For High, Quality Shoes

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One of the easiest ways to tell how fashionable and stylish a woman is, is through the quality of her shoes. Yes, expensive shoes separate the women from the girls. Someone can have fashionable wardrobe without paying a fortune for it, but when it’s time to buy fashionable shoes, one should expect to spend more time and money to select quality and expensive shoes.
Some people may argue that it is waste of money spending thousands of naira on a pair of shoes when they can use the same amount to buy three or more pairs that are of low quality. But on the contrary, buying expensive shoes signify wisdom, because they last longer than the cheaper ones. And so, you can have three or four expensive, quality pair of shoes and not border about shoes for many years.
The truth is that it is better to buy quality shoes that are more expensive than buying cheaper ones that will not last.
Besides, luxurious shoes are usually hand-made, which means people will take care of sewing quality shoes and guarantee a quality finish.
Quality shoes should therefore, have less manufacturing mistakes, have a better overall finishing and should last longer. The little details added in the finishing create an extra element of style. They will also increase the durability of the shoes.
Apart from the quality and durability of the shoes, wearing exclusive ones will definitely help polish one’s image. The quality of shoes a lady wears will tell the public the kind of person and the kind of job or business she is engaged. This image can make a big difference between an ordinary woman and a woman with expensive shoes during ceremonies. In addition, note that poor quality shoes are especially noticeable when someone is well dressed because of the contrast it creates. Low priced shoes are usually associated with cheap mannerisms and I wonder how many women like cheap ones.
One important thing to note about high shoes is the fact that they are suitable to short and average height ladies.
The high healed-shoes can increase their heights artificially. These heely shoes may not be necessary for tall ladies.
They may not also be suitable for those who are advanced in age.
So why don’t you spend more money on quality shoes and prove that you have arrived?

By: Eunice Choko-Kayode

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Women Can Build Formidable Marital Homes

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Building formidable marital homes starts before marriage. Single women also need to pick the right kind of person they think can build a formidable home with them.
When you marry the wrong person, the home will be a terrible place. Remember the person you will marry will leave with you forever as marriage is a life long affair.
To build a formidable marriage, you must consider who you marry. Ensure the person you pick mWomen can build formidable marital home with you.
The person you pick matters a lot. The quality of person determines the quality of marriage.
Marriage does not change people so it is important you understand who you marry early enough.
Marriage reveals who people are. A lot of people hide their characters and habit before marriage and showcase them when marriage is mature.
When you talk of marriage, you are talking about the future of your life, future of the children and all that concerns them. The way you manage your partner will encourage of discourage him or her.
A wife may have interest in doing a paid employed job, but the spouse may not allow her to do that. There are kinds of businesses that some women may want to engage in but their spouses will shut them down.
For Christians, it is expected that not much should be done about women in every circumstances since they can should build formidable marital homes.
It is assumed that as believers, they will understand each other. But two believers may have different doctrinal believes. Both may be Christians, your ideas may differ. Partners who are believers may not think the same way when it comes to giving in the things of God.
Most problems for couples is assumption. Two people must work together when they agree. A partner may like every contribution in church and giving to the need while his wife may be considering their level of income.
Marriage should be an intentional thing and nobody should be coerced into it. There should be no compromise. The idea of marrying because others are should not be the case.
Good marriages don’t make the news but bad ones do. It may interest you to know some women chase their husbands away from home. No matter the level of anger in a woman, it shouldn’t be that a woman uses harmful object on her husband.
When venturing into marriage, the issue of age should not discourage you. Yes, it is necessary but that can be your own time to get married. A situation where you lament that others are all married and rush into marriage, may be disastrous.
You must be prepared before going into marriage.
Marriage is not an employment where you can resign at a time you like. Even in employment, you give some notice for resignation. It is not easy to quit marriage. Consultation must be done from experts and stakeholders in marriage, that is why you don’t rush into marriage.
Before going into marriage, you must ask questions to know who you want to marry.
Remember, better woman will make better society.
When a husband and wife have disagreement in the home and the matter is reported to the elders in the local palace, the woman is always blamed and sometimes mandated to apologise to the husband.
That may appear humiliating. Some persons say it is wrong to judge the woman in the presence of the husband.
What about a situation where the man is at fault? The truth is not always said in the public or before the man and his wife.
Some people argue that it is a way of protecting the marriage and the man cn be cautioned behind the wife by his kinsmen.
Women should bear in mind that the elders in the family do not hate them by supporting the and asking the wife to appologise when disappointment occurs in the home.
Protection of the home as far as husband and wife are concerned is very important. There is the belief by men that if the man is blamed before the wife, that will warrant her to raise shoulders.
Elders also say that will prevent the woman from reporting every little issue that comes up in the home.
Women should not think that they are being cheated and should continue to be better builders of the home and society.
Acknowledging faults in issues relating to your marriage does not mean weakness but a sign that peace reigns in the home.
Remember, “home is a person”.

Eunice Choko-Kayode

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