Nigeria: Give It to Nigerian Women

As part of Nigeria's centenary celebrations, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation organised a two-day conference to celebrate Nigerian women last week. Discussions at the event included issues concerning women in the country such as gender imbalance, violence against women including rape, and girl-child education. Deriving from discussions during the conference, a country report is expected soon. It was a well-deserved honour for famous Nigerian women of the past and the present. From the legendary queens Amina of Zazzau and Moremi of Ile Ife to last century's social, political and human rights activists such as Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Gambo Sawaba and Margaret Ekpo, and more recently our internationally celebrated writers and artistes such as Chimamanda Adichie and Omotola Jalade Ekeinde [who has just made Time's 100 most influential people], the nation's women have been worth celebrating. Justice Aloma Mukhtar, the country's first female chief justice, is still in office. Yet, there is no denying the fact that the Nigerian woman has weathered many storms and is still facing numerous challenges usually fuelled by culture, religion and tradition.

For example, women have been subjugated economically, especially in terms of  access to financial services that would boost their business activities. And this is in spite of the generally acknowledged fact that, when it comes to repayment of loans, there are fewer women defaulters than men. It is gratifying that the House of Representatives recently passed a bill for an Act to eliminate all forms of violence against persons. The bill addresses issues of violence against women and harmful traditional practices. Nigerian women should seize the opportunity to liberate their hearts and minds. Many suffer in silence because, in the first place, traditions and cultures saliently approve certain crimes against women. Besides, financial dependence makes it impossible for them to seek redress most of the time. continued