18 March 2019
LGBT in Nigeria
LGBTs are yet to find their place in a sacred and religious country like Nigeria where the act of homophobic activities is shunned and discriminated against. It is not surprising to know that there is no legal protection for these group of people and very few people can openly talk about their sexual orientation. Due to the fact that there is no legal right, they conceal their identities or run to some other countries where they are accepted because of the violence they face in other to seek protection.
Typically, in the Northern part of Nigeria, if you are found to be LGBT, under the sharia court you will be stoned to death especially for the Muslims and the maximum of 14 years imprisonment under the same-sex marriage prohibition Act. As a Nigerian, it is quite weird to hear same-sex to say “I love you” to each other especially between people of same-sex, the reception or the non-verbal cues of an onlooker or the recipient of such gesture can be perceived that you have crossed the line by saying that. We are so culturally inclined to every statement and behavior displayed in Nigeria, jokingly you hear people say “I cover my yansh (anus) with the blood of Jesus”.
A same-sex relationship is quite a terror to the society because of its oddness to the usual acceptance of the heterosexual community. Nigeria is one of the worst places to be friendly to anyone seen as gay or lesbian. Christians have preached against it is an immoral act and often referred to as Sodom and Gomorrah in the bible where this was practiced to be an abomination to God and the Muslims religion, Islam provides death as a punishment for such actions. So you dare not come out as a Man, to say you love men or as a Woman, to say you love women.
My advice for all Nigerians is that we need to stop discriminating against these people and respect them with so much love because you never can tell, your daughter or son can be the next person in this category.
11 March 2019
GENDER EQUALITY AND ITS EFFECT ON ECONOMIC GROWTH
Gender refers to the social and psychological dimension of being female or male. Gender roles are the behaviors, interests, attitude, skills and personality traits that a culture considers appropriate for males and females. Gender roles have rapidly evolved over a long period of time and it has shifted in different spheres as a result of different factors such as new family structures, education, media education, earnings, occupation, access to formal employment, access to managerial positions, access to productive inputs, political representation, or bargaining power inside the household etc.
Contemporarily, the male gender is seen as being the head of the family and seen as being ahead of female gender in the provision of needs however the female gender supports in household expenses, such as house-rent, decision making, payment of children school fees. Gender inequality, therefore, arises from unequal treatment of individuals based on their gender difference in socially constructed gender roles as well as the biological structure
In the precolonial period, women played a major role in social and economic activities. They were central to Trade such that among the Yorubas, the most successful among the women rose to the prestigious chieftaincy title of iyalode, a position of great privilege and power. However, Women's freedom of movement is restricted in some cases where they are obliged to obtain permission from their husband to obtain a passport or travel outside the country. Women in Purdah (Muslim communities in Nigeria states) cannot leave their homes without permission from their husbands or being accompanied by a man at all times. Also, there is a restriction in their dressing – they must be veiled in public.
The World Economic Forum has declared that there are four various levels of gender inequality: Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment
The World Economic Forum has declared that there are four various levels of gender inequality: Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment The World Economic Forum has declared that there are four various levels of gender inequality: Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment The World Economic Forum has declared that there are four various levels of gender inequality: Economic
Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment Health and Survival and Political Empowerment. Whilst Education and Health inequality in many modern societies is at
the minimum level, hence these two factors may lose their importance, though inequality in Economic Participation and Political Empowerment will remain Health and survival and Political Empowerment. Whilst Education and Health inequality in many modern societies is at the minimum level, hence these two factors may lose their importance, though inequality in Economic Participation and Political Empowerment will remain. Health and Survival and Political Empowerment. Whilst Education and Health inequality in many modern societies is at the minimum level, hence these two factors may lose their importance, though inequality in Economic Participation and Political Empowerment will remain.
This disparity in gender inequality in the modern society was declared by the world Economic forum to be in four levels such as economic participation and opportunity, educational attainments, Health and survival and political Empowerment. Inequality in Economic participation and political empowerment still remains a prominent problem in Nigeria which needs to be addressed.
Women have the sheer volume of Human Capital which can be used to increase economic growth but it is of great importance to spend a period of time with men for acquiring enough experience although the gap in gender roles results from not having enough experience in the field of economic participation and political empowerment.
In other to promote gender equality in Nigeria, there is the need for more women empowerment programmes and projects, enlightenment campaign on more female involvement in decision making and the inclusion of women interest in development policies in Nigeria.
The giant of Africa has once again re-elected President Mohammadu Buhari even after the election was postponed for a week so that the people and the electoral body can have more time to prepare the rigging properly.
I am indeed disappointed in the fact that Nigerians voted back this Man into power. isn't it the same President that during his visit to the USA to meet with President Barack Obama back in 2015, that said to American officials that same-sex relationship is sodomy and against the law in Nigeria and that it is abhorrent to the Nigerian culture.
For this reason and more a lot of queer Nigerians have lived in the country in fear of been stoned to death or sentenced to 14years in prison. to think this same President was voted into power a second time (that is not counting his Military Regime back in the 80s). Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who is the person that came second during the Feb 23rd Election has come out to say that the election was a sham and a throwback to a military dictatorship.
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