Five Undeniable Reasons Why Nigeria Needs Feminism

The idea of feminism is one many Nigerians love to hate. It is not uncommon to see many citing religious and socio-cultural reasons explaining why a woman's place is beneath a man or beside him as an appendage.

In October 2016, at a widely controversial joint press conference with Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor at the time, the father of the nation himself, President Muhamadu Buhari gave an insight into the percieved position of women in Nigeria. His comment in reponse to his wife's BBC interview (where she criticised some of his policies) was thus:

“I don’t know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room.”

This was not only a prompt dismissal of her opinions but a reduction of her role as one of the most important women leaders in the world to a domestic object. The President's comment was hailed by misogynists as accurate while others were quick to dismiss it a joke (which the President later claimed.)

According to renowned writer and feminist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,

"Feminism is the belief in the social political and economic equality of the sexes."

Feminism as a movement began in the West (France, USA and the UK) in the late 19th century. Since then it has spread to many other countries around the world.

The early achievements of feminism include suffrage (right to vote), rights to hold public office, to work, to earn fair wages or equal pay, to own property, to receive education, to enter contracts, to have equal rights within marriage, and to have maternity leave. Recent feminist advocacy has more focus on ensuring access to reproductive rights and social integration, and to protect women and girls from rape, sexual harassment, and domestic violence. Changes in intersectionality, media portrayal of women, sexist language, dress and acceptable physical activity have often been part of feminist movements.

If it's such a progressive idea, why is it so despised by many? Well, Kathy Caprino of Forbes has some well researched ideas explaining why:

Feminism has been associated with strong, forceful and angry women, and our society continues to punish forceful women. Many people fear that feminism will mean that men will eventually lose out – of power, influence, impact, authority, and control, and economic opportunities. (Crazy right?)Many people believe that feminists want to control the world and put men down. (Extra crazy)Many people fear that feminism will overturn time-honored traditions, religious beliefs and established gender roles, and that feels scary and wrong.Many people fear that feminism will bring about negative shifts in relationships, marriage, society, culture, power and authority dynamics, and in business, job and economic opportunities if and when women are on an equal footing with men. (That's just sad)

While most of the reasons above are cringe-worthy, the fact remains that most people have been conditioned to think the worst of anything relating to gender equality. In countries where this negative ideology is most prevalent, especially countries in the global south, women face injustice in day to day life. It is no wonder that Nigeria is a hub for uncountable human rights violations against women; violations that are eventually swept under the carpet.

Let's have a look at some reasons why Nigeria needs feminism:

1. Women are blamed for being raped

A lot of Nigerians agree that rape is a terrible thing. Absolutely terrible. Unfortunately, facts show that one in four females reported experiencing sexual violence in childhood with approximately 70% reporting more than one incident of sexual violence. In the same study, it was found that 24.8% of females’ ages 18 to 24 years experienced sexual abuse prior to age 18 of which 5.0% sought help, with only 3.5% receiving any services.
Many a time, when rape occurs, the woman (or girl) involved is criticised for tempting the man to commit the act. She is asked whether her dressing was too provocative or if she behaved in a sexually suggestive manner.

Let's do a little brainwork. Imagine a girl recently raped by an older relative, perhaps an uncle. Imagine that it happened while she was left in his care while her parents ran errands. When she ventures to tell her mother, she may or may not receive sympathy. She will be told to hush and never speak of it again. She will be told to pay more attention to how she sits (legs tightly closed), how to dress (nothing that clings) and how not to smile too often around men.

She will be told that rape is a stain which is better left unknown. So she goes through life in emotional and physiological turmoil, struggling to trust any of the men in her life.

Now, back to reality. Actually, that is reality. This is a recurring trope for rape cases in Nigeria. Reports on the Nigeria Bulletin buttress this point.

2. Wife Battering is still a thing

Wife battering is an act of domestic violence that involves intimidation, physical, verbal or emotional abuse that has become an epidemic. It’s is seen by the aggressor as an act of discipline, a way to keep her in check, and a way to let her know her place.

After a beating, victims are sometimes encouraged to go back to their husbands and seek forgiveness. They are told to find a way to appease him in order to save their marriage. Those who try to report to the police are told to solve their private matters privately. Sometimes, no one is on their side, not their family or even the authories.

Women themselves have been conditioned to believe that saving their marriage should come first. They become their own enemies, keeping their mouths shut in the face of blows.

In 2010, the traditional king of Akure physical and bloodily assaulted one of his wives resulting in her death. At the urging of the public, the police made a statement that they would press charges. The case was dismissed in 2012.

3. Woman President? Yeah Right

The idea of female leadership in Nigeria is a struggling one. According to the 2006 Nigerian population census figure, women make up 49% of the population yet there is a gross gender gap between men and women especially in political representation, economic management and leadership.

It's not that there aren't women that trying to be a part of the government. There are mechanisms restricting them from making any real impact:

Since politics is traditionally a male domain and all financial, economic, commercial and political negotiations conducted outside the home are by males, Nigerian women have very limited access to decision-making process, and they have a severe lack of access to and control over financial resources. Most political parties do not even maintain data on their women membership and few women are granted tickets for electionsPatriarchal settings in African family societies: The low status of the Nigerian women is generally reproduced by the culture of male supremacy inherent in local traditions and cultures, including religious idiosyncrasiesNon-extension of equal rights to all citizens, especially women, because they are seen as second-hand citizens in some parts of the country. In such cases, they are not allowed to participate in anything even at the grassroots levels.The situation is made even more difficult by the fact that the girl-child is usually prepared for a second place position right from the home where the focus of her training is on how to be a good wife, a good mother and a good home-maker. Consequently, women are hardly equipped with public leadership tools, especially in the areas of education and social exposure.The country is yet to implement its commitment to women's political participation through the 30% affirmative action mandate provided for in the National Women Policy (2000); and which was later increased to 35% in the National Gender Policy (2006).Many qualified women are forced to play minor roles in the margins or are frustrated out of governance.

Despite challenges facing political women, some have been able to shatter glass ceilings nonetheless. Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, successfully transformed the Nigerian economic platform when she succeeded in negotiating a debt relief package for Nigeria as the Finance Minister (July, 2003-June, 2006) under the Obasanjo regime and also spearheaded the unpopular fuel subsidy removal policy by the Nigerian government, which led to protests in January 2012 under the Goodluck Jonathan regime. Also, she stressed the need to reduce the country's recurrent expenditure, which is currently 74% of the national budget, and embark on capital projects which could improve the 14% unemployment rate in the country. She was Managing Director of the World Bank Group from December 1, 2007 until August 2011.

Lauretta Obakpolor was elected the first ever female president of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the University of Benin.

4. Dream Big Girl but Not Too Big

The above excerpt is taken from renowned writer Chimamanda Adichie's feature on Beyonce's "Flawless" single. The lines seem to summarize the dilemma of ambition facing the modern African woman.

Ambition in women is a quality hindered by several clauses. Society has found always found a way to always keep a woman reminded of her "place". For instance, while a woman may be able to make it to the highest echelon of society through grits and guts, a single woman will always be asked when she will settle down and get herself a husband. Sometimes, single women are discouraged to own property or cars in other for them not to intimidate prospective marriage suitors.

Married women on the other hand may be restricted from getting a job by their husbands. The woman in question may have spent years at a university getting herself ready to achieve her dreams. Her spouse's reasons could be that he would not want her to become too "proud" and begin to neglect what is more "important" things: the children, the kitchen of course "the other room".

5. The Not-So-Symbolic Brideprice

Bride price is money, property, or any other form of wealth paid by a groom or his family to the parents of the woman he has just married or is just about to marry. Among the various tribes in Nigeria, brideprice is one of the most enduring features of the marriage process.

In the south-eastern part of the country, young men and their families, more often than not, are given a lengthy list containing items to be bought for the bride and her family (and sometimes other members of the kindred) and are still expected to give a large amount of money along with it. Interestingly, in recent times, many parents have had to do a downward review of the cost of the traditional marriage ceremony to help their future in-laws.

Our focus should not be on the problem of too much or too little money but on the phenomenon of brideprice as a whole. The word "price" is usually used in reference to a market item. The act of a man paying a brideprice unequivocally means that said man has purchased a wife as an item. He is therefore left to do as he wishes with said product. Right?

While some may argue that the act is part of our culture and traditions and must not be got rid off because of this, the fact remains that as long as men have to pay a brideprice, women will be objectified. Some Nigerians who believe in the act argue that, "It is symbolic". Well, what does it symbolize? Buying and selling? Saying that the act should be retained because retained because it is a primordial element of our tradition is not only retrogressive but also makes a mockery of other modern advancements which are not part of "tradition".

Unfortunately, problems like domestic violence cannot be tackled if it is possible for any man to simply "buy" a woman at his convenience. The concept of brideprice must be canned in order for Nigeria to move forward. The female population is divided into two camps: those who appreciate being bought (even see it as something that shows their value) and those who are over it. Whose side are you on?

Conclusion

Gender equality continues to be one of the most controversial topics in the world. Whether you're religious, traditional or secular, it is undeniable that many of the socio-economic barriers facing women in Nigeria could be broken down by some of the tenets of feminism.

This is not an attack on men but a call to action for both sexes to have a deeper look into contemporary issues in gender. Progressive men and women must come together to the ensure that women are able to attain their full potential regardless of their sex.

What are your thoughts? Are you a feminist? If not, why not? Do these issues matter? What is the way forward in your opinion?

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