Feminism, the facts and the myths

Feminism is a topic many people would like to avoid discussing, men and women alike because of the controversies that surround many people’s misunderstanding of the topic and probably because of a number of confusing information out there.

Feminism dates back to as far back as the 18th century and it refers to the advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes. As defined by Wikipedia, feminism is a range of political movements, ideologies, and social movements that share a common goal to define, establish, and achieve equal political, economic, personal, and social rights for women. This includes seeking to establish equal opportunities for women in education and employment. Feminists typically advocate or support the rights and equality of women.

There are popularly known three types of feminism, radical, socialist and cultural feminism. Radical feminism is a perspective within feminism that calls for a radical reordering of society in which male supremacy is eliminated in all social and economic contexts. Socialist feminism argues that liberation can only be achieved by working to end both the economic and cultural sources of women's oppression. Cultural feminism is an ideology of a "female nature" or "female essence" that attempts to re-validate what cultural feminists consider undervalued female attributes.

According to the United Nations, women make up 51% of the world’s population and women’s economic and social rights are held back, because they are forced to fit into a ‘man’s world’. It isn’t any different for women in Nigeria, as women are offered fewer opportunities than men backed by our many patriarchal cultural and religious laws.
  
The history of feminism in Nigeria stemmed from the need to change the economic and politically status quo of women. In the north, Islamic practice processes meant, generally, less formal education; early teenage marriages, especially in rural areas; and confinement to the household, which was often polygynous, except for visits to family, ceremonies, and the workplace, if employment were available and permitted by a girl's family or husband. While women in the south, especially among the Yoruba peoples, had received Western-style education since the nineteenth century, so they occupied positions in the professions and to some extent in politics.

A national feminist movement was inaugurated in 1982, and a national conference held at Ahmadu Bello University. The papers presented indicated a growing awareness by Nigeria's university-educated women that the place of women in society required a concerted effort and a place on the national agenda; the public perception, however, remained far behind”, (Global Gender Gap Report, 2013).

But within the years, the feminist movement around the world and Nigeria has risen and with the uprising of the Nigerian entertainment industry, many celebrities have become ardent feminists and join the movement to advocate for women’s rights and empowerment. 
There are a number of myths shrouding feminism, of which one is that many feminists are bitter. Other misconceptions are that feminist are lesbians and are against marriage, feminists hate men and feminism is targeted at hurting men. These statements are false because they are based on sentiments, and these sentiments come from people who are not ready to face the truth about what many women are going through all over the world. That is not to say that men do not have their own challenges, but women seems to be the worst hit when it comes to economic, political, and social challenges. 

The fact is not all feminists are women, there are men feminists too, and being a feminist does not define a person’s sexual orientation or the need to get married, many people’s decision to get married is determined by a lot of factors. Feminism does not hurt men, rather than it fights for equality, invariably helping to free men from the pressures of having to conform to an unhealthy version of masculinity as defined by gender roles, something that hurts men by potentially stifling their true emotions, stunting personal growth. Feminism seeks to empower women and fights for laws, policies and rights that promote the growth of women.

Feminism not only affects women by proffering solutions to challenges they face, it is also beneficial to men as it seeks to correct gender stereotypes and prevents conformity to society’s expectations faced by men. Feminism in its fight for gender equality paces the way for equal access to opportunities, of which men are partakers. Feminism also gives men the chance to be ‘emotionally’ human without being branded as weak. Men gender stereotypes such as “Men are stronger and that men are the breadwinners” put so much pressure on men such that society believe that to perform these roles, men ought to be considered first in terms of economic opportunities. With feminism, men and women can now seek for the same opportunities, thus gradually correcting society’s patriarchal system of doing things.

According to African Development Bank, Nigerian women make up 70% of the agricultural workforce, so we cannot underestimate the role of women to society. There need to be a conscious effort to improve the status of women. Feminism helps in the enactment of bills such as the Gender Equality Bill in Nigeria. This bill was rejected by the Nigerian Senate perhaps because it was perceived to be feminist in its approach. This goes to show that the public needs more orientation as to the meaning of the word feminism and gender equality and how they relate to society, then and only then can feminism reach its goals. Am I a feminist? If being worried about women’s future makes me one, then I am!

Are you a feminist? 

Here is what Chimamanda Adichie has to say, “My own definition of feminist is a man or a woman who says, ‘yes, there is a problem with gender as it today and we must fix it, we must do better, All of us, women and men, must do better”.

I asked a few friends of mine their opinion on the topic of feminism; these were the questions I asked them:

1. How would you define feminism?
2. What do you think feminism aims to achieve?
3. Can a man be a feminist?

Friend One: Group of people fighting for women rights especially gender equality. They are fighting for gender equality and the rights of women. A man can be feminist because gender equality favours everybody in the society. 
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Friend Two: It is a movement or cause for the liberation of women and their access to equal opportunity as men. Feminism aims to achieve equal opportunity, roles, rights and privilege. But when I hear some people talk, all I hear is dominance and control over male folk
Question: Do you think feminism is overrated?
Ans: Not really, it looks two-sided. A lot still needs to be done in terms of liberating women. There is still much terrible culture that subjugates women in Nigeria which needs to be abolished. However, there are always little leavens that leaveneth the whole lump. There are the extremists, they are not after liberation of women, and they want dominance over men. They actually hate the male folk; that side of feminism is overrated and realistically unachievable.

Question: Do you think men can be feminist?
Ans: Yes they can, as long as they are fighting for the same things feminism sets to achieve. 

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Friend Three: Feminism can be defined as defending the rights of a woman in the society. What it aims to achieve is to make the society understand that a woman is not just made to be behind closed doors, but can also stand, talk in the same place as the male counterparts. In other words, they s

hould be acknowledged as an important being in the society whose opinion matters. 
A man can be a feminist because only women cannot go about telling society why they are important. Men can also take it upon themselves to enlighten their other men about women’s rights making them understand why women should not be exempted from some societal roles. In a society where men are dominant, if you find men who are willing to tell their peers about feminism, it is taken more seriously than when a woman carries the burden herself.     

My take away from the #NotTooYoungToRun public debate

The #NotTooYoungToRun public debate was held on Wednesday, the 29th of June held at Barcelona Hotel, F.C.T Abuja in response to the #NotTooYoungToRun campaign, an initiative of the Youth Initiative for Advocacy Growth & Advancement (YIAGA) aimed at ensuring that young persons in Nigeria (above 18 and below age 35) are given opportunities to run for elective positions in government.

According to YIAGA, the public debate was meant to stimulate public discourse on the rational and general principles of the NotTooYoungToRun Bill which seeks to alter the section 65, 106,131, 177 of the 1999 constitution and to enlighten citizens on the role of the legislature, constitution review process and strategies for engaging state and federal legislators in ensuring that the Bill comes into light and it did quite an interesting job of it. We heard quite a lot of interesting facts, statements and conjectures from everyone who spoke led by the game changer panellists with the likes of Rinsola Abiola, Bamikole Omishore, Samson Itodo, Ayisha Oshori, Tracy Okoro, Benjamin Ubiri, Ezenwa Nwagwu, Chibueze Ebii and Nana M. Nwachukwu. 

I learnt that many older people are of the belief that youths are too volatile to properly handle the responsibility that comes with handling important political positions, and that some of the problems constantly faced by politicians include fear, violence, threat to life, Election Day intrigues, and lack of adequate voter education. There were facts of realities From Hon. Tony Nwulu speech based on his experience as a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives.

According to him:

• Running a campaign comes with funds.

• The Nigerian system itself is designed to work against the youth, and this can only be corrected by calculated efforts.

• In your pursuit of political role, people will try to talk you down, but you’ve got to show strength to achieve your goal.

• In whatever situation you find yourself, always find a way to be smart.

• Come up speed with Election Day intrigues, develop and deploy strategies; learn to count your votes.

• Politics is grassroots, your success as a politician is dependent on your relationship and interaction with the people you’re representing.

• It is important to do more field work than talking.

• Be ready to attend late night meetings and learn to speak your people’s language. 

One key statement constantly making the grounds was that Nigeria is filled with recycled politicians, which is quite true. Olusegun Obasanjo, Muhammadu Buhari alongside other popular politicians have led Nigeria and held other high political positions in Nigeria over and over again, right from the military era to democracy up till now; a very good case of eating your cake and having it, if I may say. 

I really felt the positive school of thought led by Rinsola Abiola that Nigerian youths are capable and able to run any elective position if given the chance. According to her, “If youths are good enough to help run campaigns, organise forums and be a member of their media team, then they should be good enough to contest and hold offices.” Other salient points made in support of this include:

• Nigerian politics will be easier to navigate if there is less dependence on godfathers’ funds.

• The introduction of independent candidacy as against joining top dog political parties.

• Realistic and feasible political party ideologies and manifestos.

• Reduction of age limit for elective offices.

• And Social support for the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill.

• Support for the constitutional amendment. 

Whatever has a positive, definitely has a negative, the opposing school of team was led by Benjamin Ubiri, a role which played quite well. Oozing with so much confidence as that of a devil’s advocate, he was able to make us understand where the ball might play against the youths in the way the bill was been projected to the public. Some of his strong points were:

• There isn’t any urgent need to reduce the age requirement to contest, rather youths need to advocate for a greater percentage of seat accrued to them.

• Opportunities abound in Nigerian politics, but it is in making the right negotiations and lobbying to the right people that will get the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill passed into law. 

• Experience is a better option over youth, as experience comes with tested efforts and mistakes.

• Apprenticeship and learning is an important aspect of politics, an opportunity every youth should seek for before reaching the approved age of contesting for positions. 

Quite a number of people present weren’t happy to hear this, but he did make some sense there. Although I believe learning should be a symbiotic relationship, a give and take relationship between the old and young of Nigerian politics, not just a take, take, take from the old, because the truth is if we’re young enough to understand the rudiments of voting, then what really stops us from contesting. 

I understand there will be a march on the 20th of July, 2016 to the National Assembly, Abuja by 8am to present the #NotTooYoungToRun position paper. Location is at Unity Fountain Abuja, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja. I look forward to that day and hope that every Nigerian youth will come out en masse to join the march and support the movement that will produce the next youth President for the year 2019. 

What's your take? Are you team #NotTooYoungToRun or not?

Download the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill here for better understanding.

Nigerian women in politics, where are we now?

The Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Gender Policy is a response to the National Gender Policy (2006) and Vision 20:20 (2009) which recognize that gender equality and women’s empowerment are basic human rights that lie at the heart of equitable development and which call on all state and non-state actors to promote gender equality through their institutional practices and policies (Excerpt from INEC Gender Policy). How much has this affected the role of women in Nigerian politics and how far have we gone?

I got an opportunity to witness an INEC engagement session with some Nigerian political party National Leaders, lawmakers, civil society groups and other stakeholders to discuss the state of Nigerian women participation in the electoral process and to find out the way forward and I discovered some truths and underlying realities facing Nigerian women in politics.

Women occupy half of the world’s population which makes it quite fair that women should play an equal role in the world’s development. While several countries have strived to uphold women’s role in their electoral process, Nigeria seems to be finding it very hard to pick up her pace. For a country supposed to be the giant of Africa, are we really where we ought to be? 

From Professor Antonia T. Okoosi-Simbine’s address, the Hon. National Commissioner in charge of outreach and partnership committee, INEC, I got to understand that political parties are important stakeholders in the electoral process that serve as a basic platform for the public’s engagement and participation in the electoral process. Political parties exist with a primary goal of seeking and securing a country’s majority votes in elections in order to successfully run the government based on their ideologies, manifestos and campaign primaries.

This gave me an understanding that political parties invariably dictate whoever represents us in terms of gender and noticeably in Nigeria, men seems to dominate political parties, winning several elected offices as against a very low percentage of women. And the number keeps dwindling with the onset of Buhari’s administration. We all know that for a country to fully attain sustainable development, its democratic process must be gender inclusive. It is on that note that INEC launched the Gender Policy and organised this engagement session to rally political parties’ commitment to promoting gender equity in their structures and to encourage more women to participate in the country’s electoral process. Participants, especially active female politicians were expected to share their experiences, which were also to serve as a reference point for new actions to help women. 

I was opportune to sit on the same table with the National Leader of KOWA Party, Alhaji Saidou Boboi and trust me I got a earful of what women are not doing and need to do to be more active in the Nigeria’s political environment. As we all know, KOWA party produced the first female Presidential candidate we had in Nigeria, Prof. Remi Sonaiya, who contested during the 2015 Presidential election. Alhaji Boboi was of the opinion that women need to learn to support each other more and to understudy the Nigerian political environment in order to fully understand their political role. 

I was moved by Prof. Remi Sonaiya when she spoke about her experience contesting for the 2015 presidential election. I used to liken her case to that of Daniel walking into the lion’s den. She said participating in politics opened a lot of doors of opportunities for her, although it wasn’t an easy journey, she was able to participate because of her principles and with the support of her party members who believed in the power of a woman. She said some of the ways to promote women participation in politics is to abolish night meetings, deliberately reduce the influence of money, prevent party consensus and for women to leave the background of dancing and clapping.

Hon. Nkoyo Toyo, a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives and a stout member of PDP also shared her experience. As a practising politician, her experience was quite interesting. She stated the reality that it is important that society understands that politics is local, meaning that politics is peculiar to different communities and is subject to their beliefs and interpretation of the law irrespective of gender and qualification. This clearly explains why there seems to be a greater percentage of women participation in the South East. 

She also stated that not being part of a major group makes you an outsider, which puts every party member on a turn by turn rule, probably one of the reasons women just joining political parties may take a while to be nominated for any role. Unfavourable electoral process, election malpractices, and funds mismanagement are also some of the reasons she mentioned were working against women’s participation in politics. She advised that INEC disintegrates its gender policy to suit specific locations and that Nigeria needs more regulatory measures to ensure efficient electoral process.

I observed that all of the political party national leaders present there were males; what stops a woman from being a party national leader? They all shared their views on the participation of women in their parties and the challenges they face. Some of the problems shared include lack of campaign funds for women, marital limitations, zoning formula, tribal laws, cultural intimidation, electoral violence, lack of strong media support, inadequate capacity development, lack of dedication and doggedness from female political aspirants.

Well, I do not want to believe that there aren’t dedicated Nigerian women out there who are ready to take up political roles; political parties need to be more innovative in its quest to engage women in politics. During one of the panel discussions, one party member shared a story of two female political aspirants who were called out by their constituency traditional rulers and were told to desist from contesting. We can start from educating our traditional leaders, then ensuring that women get the required skills and education to compete side by side with men; ladies, education does not have to end with graduating from the university, getting married and having kids, it is important to keep on learning. 

One of the conclusions arrived at the meeting was for Nigeria to adopt an affirmative action in creating an enabling environment for women participation in the electoral process. Affirmative action involves taking actions to policy issues and laws to promote equal representation of gender in politics. Barrister Ebere Ifendu, President of Women in Politics Forum listed three types of affirmative action Nigeria can adopt to help promote women participation in politics, reserved seat, legislative candidate quota and voluntary party quota. These quotas are widely used by several countries, including neighbouring developing countries like Rwanda, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, and South Africa and it’s been working for them; can’t understand why Nigeria hasn’t adopted affirmative action yet. 

While reserved seats regulate the number of women elected, legislative candidate and voluntary party quotas set a minimum for the share of women on the candidate lists, either as a legal requirement or a measure written into the statutes of individual political parties. Nigerian political parties can adopt the voluntary party quota and initiate new party laws and measures in line with the National Gender Policy to promote women participation, but this can only be effective if INEC enforces the implementation of these party laws. 

At the end of the meeting, with the help of everyone present, some recommendations were reached to help Nigerian women become more active in the electoral process. Political party leaders vowed to address party violence, review their constitutions, manifestos to be gender inclusive, set aside funds to support women’s aspirations and conduct gender education to enlighten their members. Prof. Remi Sonaiya stated that instead of waiving the nomination fees for women candidates, high exorbitant fees should be moderated for all gender to pay to enable healthy competition. Other recommendations were for women to adopt a more diplomatic approach in pursuing their political role and for already practising female politicians to enlighten other women.

Nigeria still has a long way to go, but I believe every Nigerian needs a gender equality and equity orientation and with a sincere heart from female political aspirants, supportive spirit from male politicians, getting women to participate in the electoral process will be easy. Let the journey start with incorporating gender equality and equity education in every stage of the Nigerian educational system, and then every other step will be easy.  

Stats source: http://www.quotaproject.org/country.cfm

A Conversation On Domestic Violence

As a sequel to my last article on domestic violence, I decided to speak to some of my friends to check their level of exposure on the topic. While some were of the opinion that marriage isn't a do or die affair, a few were of the firm belief that women were the cause for their being abused. You'll find my conversation with Bola, Nkem, Preye and Segun interesting. 

N.B: Not their real names.

..............................................................................................................................

Me: Hi Bola, how have you been now, need to ask you some questions about a topic I’m doing a survey on.

Bola: Watz up Grace, what’s it? I’m listening…

Me: Ok thanks, it’s about domestic violence, did you hear about that Ronke Shonde case? What do you know about domestic violence and what do you think society can do about it?

Bola: Mehn….I heard o, that lady that was beaten to death by her husband...that man is harsh o, even tho he suspected her of cheating, he should have just divorced the woman now and leaving the kids in the house with their mother’s dead body, na wa o. Domestic violence is not good o, a lot of people have lost their lives because of one maltreatment from either their husband or wife. I believe that if victims of domestic violence report their cases and the culprits are punished, maybe the number of these cases will reduce. And people should stop blaming the women for whatever problem they have in their homes, can you imagine people were actually blaming the Shonde lady, that is just unfair joor. The man and the woman should equal role in making the family work, and if it doesn’t, they should go their separate ways without any harm. I think I’ve said enough already…I just hope we don’t keep hearing more cases like this woman o.

Me: Thanks Bola, you tried…I’m glad you understand the extent to which this problem is serious. Thank you…you have been helpful.

Bola: You’re welcome.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Me: Hi Nkem, How far now, been a while I heard from you. Please I need your help with a survey.

Nkem: Hi dear, I’m good o, what’s happening now? No problem, what’s the survey about?

Me: Just wanted to ask a few questions on domestic violence. Please can you share with me what you know about domestic violence and how do you think domestic violence can be stopped in Nigeria?

Nkem: hmmm ok, I think domestic violence is about the abuse of a partner or should I say any member of the family in the home, but there mostly cases of men beating their wives, I think that’s what people call wife battery right…yea that’s it. I came across something online some days back when I realised that domestic violence isn’t just physical, it could be verbal or emotional, I’ve heard of cases of women where their husbands just keep abusing them verbally at every opportunity they get…these women end up having low self esteem and because of the way society have positioned women, they don’t complain. Imagine a situation like that now and the woman complains, people will now be asking her….did he beat you, did he rape you, is he not providing for you? Abeg go and manage him like that, husbands are scarce o, you have one and you’re complaining.

So I just feel men should be taught to understand their wives more, I know some part of our culture permits men to beat their wives…

Me: Really

Nkem: Yess o, but we’re in a civilized world now, husbands and wives can talk about their issues without having to resort to fighting each other. My belief is if e no work, leave am abeg.

Me: lol, thanks dear, I get you, but I think it’s better both partners seek out an amicable way to solve their problems, such as going for counselling instead of drastically leaving their marriages. Thanks dear, you’ve been helpful.

Nkem: You’re welcome, all the best in your survey.

Me: Thanks

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Me: Thank you Segun and Preye, I won’t take much of your time, just a few questions

Segun, Preye: It’s ok…no wahala, we’re glad we can be of help.

Me: Ok, what I wanted to ask you guys about was on domestic violence. What do you know about domestic violence?

Segun: I believe domestic violence is about a man or woman beating their spouse, abi…yes.

Preye: I think I will go with Segun on this, when a man beats his wife or when a woman beats or injured her husband, that’s domestic violence. I think it applies to other family members too. But wait o, I just believe you people are just trying to make it more serious than it is. Omo, if my woman does something bad like for example, if we dey argue and she slap me first and I come beat am, would you still call that domestic violence.

Segun: Aha guy now, why would you beat her? That one no good now

Preye: But she started the beating now, shebi she slapped me first.

Segun: That does not warrant you beating her, it might be a mistake, in a situation like that I would advise you to leave that premises and give her a stern warning after.

Me: But in a case that it’s the man that gives the first slap, what do you think the woman should do?

Preye: Eh, make she leave the house o, that one she might not be strong enough to stand off the man. But somewomen can nag sha and they can be a thorn in the flesh. I just feel some of them are the cause they are been beaten by their men. If only they can behave themselves.

Me: What do you mean by ‘behave themselves’ Preye?

Preye: They should respect their man, cook his food and when she know say the man no get, make she rest; she shouldn’t come and become a nuisance because the man does not have money, she doesn’t the kind of state of mind he may be in when she starts nagging.

Me: What about you Segun, what do you think? How can domestic violence be stopped/

Segun: I believe if men and women learn to understand and respect each other, you would know when your partner is not in the right mood, not everybody has the same level of tolerance. My advice to women especially is if you notice the signs in your man, please seek advice from the right person and if he does it once, he may likely do it again. I just wish our law enforcement people will take victims cases seriously, so that people will understand that you cannot just be hurting people and going scot-free.

Me: Preye…and you?

Preye: Women should stop nagging…and men stop beating your wives.

Me: Alright, thanks guys, you’ve both being of great help.

Segun, Preye: Anytime, thank you.

Photo credit: en.bobbiecrews.com

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, THE DARK PLACE OF ABUSE

I don’t know how to start this without sounding annoyed but I’ll start it anyway. I don’t know why someone would keep enduring so much battering, injuries and suffering just to stay married to a wolf in sheep clothing or just to enjoy a few favours or simply because of what society will say. Please and please, leave with your life, your kids (if you have any) and run, while it’s still there. And while you’re at it, report the case to authorities and to everybody who cares to listen so that you can have a peace of mind.

Domestic violence is the violent or aggressive behaviour within the home, typically involving the violent abuse of a spouse or partner and family members regardless of gender or sexuality. It is not peculiar to wife battery alone; it cuts across every form of aggressive behaviour within the home. Domestic violence can be physical, emotional, psychological, financial or sexual.

Some of the common causes of domestic violence include infidelity, disagreement with partner, elongated periods of unemployment, financial issues, desperation when partner threatens to leave, anger escalation, humiliation stemming from problems at work or other perceived failures and jealousy and envy between partners.

As it seems the issue of domestic violence seems to be a global phenomenon. We live in a patriarchal society where our cultural and religious beliefs are most times in favour of men, it is not wont to see husbands believing in the ideology that men should admonish their wives when they do ‘something wrong’. There are several examples of cases of women who have endured constant physical and emotional abuse from their husbands simply because society has told them ‘it is in the hands of the woman to make sure her marriage works’ and that she should remain there for her kids. On what grounds are you guaranteed that you or your children wouldn’t lose your lives while waiting out the storm in that marriage.

There was a case of one Mrs Nzedebebe whose ear got cut off by her husband with pliers; another woman was almost blinded by her husband after she was beaten to a stupor. And there was this gory tale of a Tanzanian lady who was buried alive for 8 months by her boyfriend for rituals. The most recent reported case in Nigeria is that of Ronke Shonde who was supposedly beaten and left to die by her husband after she was accused of cheating; although Ronke’s case is still under police investigation. I do pray her case is taken seriously.

I am not saying there aren’t cases of men being abused by their female partners, in fact I know a friend who survived being stabbed by his wife just because she suspected him of infidelity, unlike the case of Mr Lowo Oyediran, who was unlucky when he faced the same feat. Lowo Oyediran was said to have died after his wife stabbed him in his sleep.


Graphics pics below...

If you notice very clearly in almost all the cases I’ve mentioned, the major reason for this level of violence faced by the victims all boil down to infidelity or cheating. I know how hard it could be to deal with issues of infidelity from our partners, especially when we feel we’ve lost all hope in making that relationship work, but violence does not solve anything. Why turn yourself into a murderer and a convict, and spoil your chances at having a go at another lovely relationship with another person. Before you all start talking about how God is against divorce, how about trying to hit your head on the wall consistently and see how that hurts. Yeah right….tell me about it. Heaven helps those who help themselves.

A number of local NGOs such as Women's Rights Advancement Project (WRAPA) and Project Alert on Violence Against Women are working hand in hand with international bodies such as the CEDAW Committee, to monitor the implementation of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in line with UN Treaties on Domestic Violence.

Although Nigeria took a step further by passing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act Bill in 2015, the issue of domestic violence remains very difficult to deal with because of the stigma, fear and silence surrounding it and the fact that most of the victims feel they deserve whatever ill treatment they are receiving. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, about 70% of domestic violence cases go unreported and due to the unavailability of adequate research and in-depth analysis on the issue.

One recent study conducted by DFID and British Council in 2012 titled Gender in Nigeria Report, contains some recent figures on aspects of domestic violence in the country. The study showed that domestic violence cuts across all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and that young women between the ages of 15 and 24 were most likely to have experienced physical violence and are most likely to justify violence. Reasons victims quoted for being abused stemmed from infidelity, burning food, going out without permission, arguing with their spouse, refusal to have sexual intercourse and mismanagement of household funds.

Also research by the National Demographic and Health Survey in 2008 showed that women in the North East were more likely to say that wife beating was justified, while women in the South West were least likely to say that wife beating was justified.  Women with no education were more likely to say that wife beating was justified.  Rural men were more likely to say that wife beating on any of the above-mentioned grounds was justified.  Men with a secondary education were less likely to justify wife beating than men with less education.

The research also showed that educated women were more likely to have experienced domestic violence. Also women who live in urban areas are more likely than their counterparts who live in rural areas to have experienced domestic violence.  Women in the southern part of the country were also more likely to have experienced physical violence more than women in the northern part of the country.

I find quite disheartening that our government isn’t doing that much to alleviate the situation. Yea, yea, I get it, they are talking about it; it isn’t about talking alone, work the talk, put new sanctions in place, implement those sanctions and follow it up. Let’s not forget that we all are the government, STOP, JUST STOP IT! Do not justify why that woman, man or child has to be beaten, or why they deserve whatever ill treatment they’ve received. You, your sister, brother or child could be a victim tomorrow if we all do not do something about it today!

It is the duty of everyone to report suspected cases of domestic violence, ask the victims to seek for help and if he or she refuses, force them to, we don’t want another case of Ronke Shonde abeg! Follow up on reported cases and hold responsible officers to book. We all must understand that the earlier the better we start making concrete efforts towards solving this problem, our society isn’t going to be safe for us all.


Photo credit: Adalia.ng, lailasblog.com, vanguardngr.com