IWD: A renewed demand for gender equality

TRACKING_____The debate on the place of women in society is one that has been on for ages In this report, REGINA OTOKPA captures the thoughts of some women and men recently at the Abuja City Toastmasters Club.
In the last one week, women dominated the topic in different fora across the globe, as Nigeria joined over 100 countries to celebrate the International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8.

IWD was first celebrated on March 19, 1911 as inspired by America’s National Women’s Day declared by the Socialist Party of America and followed subsequently by different countries in different years.

It was however first celebrated by the United Nations in 1975 and made an international day on 8 March 1977, to celebrate remarkable women, reflect on progress made and call for a change to further advance the cause of women in the social, political, economic and cultural sphere.

To mark this year’s celebration, the three tiers of government, local and international organisations, agencies, parastatals, unionists, human rights activists and well meaning Nigerians, joined in the celebration.

In addition, several professional groups, Civil Society Groups (CSOs), Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and the media; took out time to celebrate women, who have made their mark directly or indirectly in advancing the cause of women in Nigeria.

Despite the several feats recorded; the poor attention paid to women and girls’ education, poor health services, gender based violence, harmful cultural and traditional practices, segregation, illiteracy, early marriage and poor representation in leadership positions have continued to stare women in the face.

At an extraordinary meeting of Abuja City Toastmasters Club in collaboration with AFEX Commodities Exchange Limited with the theme ‘Realizing Women’s Rights’, the women have renewed their struggle for equality in the society.

The women, drawn from the Church, the corporate world and other segments of society called for mutual respect, fairness, equity and a level playing ground for both men and women.

They argued that equity and fairness would make the country a better place for all irrespective of gender.

According to Ms. Atuonwu Adanna, women, regardless of the sector they fall into, have remained a strong force in any nation’s economic development. Based on her analogy, women in the informal sector contribute largely to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Interestingly, Inside Abuja checks around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) revealed that women and girls make up the majority of persons who hawk or put up mini stalls either at formal or informal locations to sell one product or the other.

Mrs Binta Max-Gbinije noted that women, through the support of men, could further move Nigeria’s GDP further by 25 per cent in 5 years.

She argued that women possess a lot of potentials which could help any nation advance economically and socially. However, the society, through a deliberate move by men, has succeeded in disenfranchising women from using those innate talents.

In her words: “Men must come into the party. We need he for she; men who buy into the agenda. Half of our population is made up of women. So, we need men to join in the fight.

“If we get men into the party, we can actually move our GDP by 25 per cent in five years. That is what can happen. Let the men come on board. We need one another.”

Excited that more women are coming out to take their rightful place, Binta asked that women be given a chance to prove their ability to deliver in the midst of daunting family demands. She also advocated for more collaboration amongst women.

“Things are changing; before now, women are not being given their place at the table but they had to push their way to take their place. Gladly, more women are coming out to take their place.

“Besides the National Assembly, groups and individuals can intentionally and proactively change the policies. Employers must begin to adapt to the realities of our time that women can deliver on their jobs despite the issues they are surrounded with,” Binta said.

She further advised women not to give in to the whims of men saying: “Please keep your shine; no man should keep you under no matter what. Don’t let any man talk you down. Continue to rise and make progress,” she advised.

Mrs. Oduenyi Okonkwo, who expressed disappointment over the poor representation of women in leadership positions, told Inside Abuja that there were possibilities that men were afraid women could shove them aside and take over the reins of power. She lamented the six per cent representation of women in the National Assembly and urged women to wake up from their slumber.

“We have made some progress with respect to women’s right but there are a lot of girls out of school. We have a law of 35 per cent affirmative action to give women a voice.

“In 1999, we had three per cent. At some point, we had eight per cent but now we have six per cent in the National Assembly. This poses a lot of constraints and barriers. How can a six per cent representation of women make laws that will benefit the huge population of women which is made up of almost 49 per cent?”

Oduenyi however believes that if men could join forces with women to make the ultimate sacrifice, women equality in Nigeria will become a reality that would steer the country in a much better direction.

On her part, Tracy Ekpe raised concerns over the poor availability of information on the achievements of women in Nigeria for the younger and upcoming generation.

“There is not enough information for the younger generation to know what women have faced in this country. We don’t know how much about women. History is being lost.