On Saturday the 21st of April 2018, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie had the privilege to interview Hillary Clinton at a PEN World Voices Festival lecture at the Cooper Union. During this interview, she asked the former Democratic presidential candidate something that was bothering her. Which is, Why Clinton identify herself a Wife, Mom, Grandma first, despite her career accomplishments?
Clinton responded saying
that women should be able to celebrate both their accomplishments and
relationships. She also quoted Babara Bush, the late wife of President Bush
saying ‘At the end of the day, it won’t matter if you got a raise, it won’t
matter if you wrote a great book if you are not someone who values
relationships'.
Chimamanda's question, however sparked various debates online as to what Feminism truly means.
According to the Collins English dictionary, Feminism is the belief and
aim that women should have the same rights, power and opportunities as men. The Oxford’s dictionary also defines Feminism as the advocacy of women’s
rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes.
I am of the opinion that what Chimamanda
was trying to establish is that women work hard to be lawyers, farmer,
Presidents, Bloggers, Writers, Journalist , Engineers etc than to just be defined
as Wives and Mothers. She was intrigued by the fact that Clinton who came very
close to becoming the first Female president of the United State of America,
would first describe herself as a wife. I however, appreciate Clinton’s
respond, the fact that she choose to describe herself as a Wife, Mother,
Grandma doesn’t make her less appreciative of her Career accomplishment, it
only means that she appreciates her relationships.
I
sincerely believe that in as much as we quest for the equality of both sexes, which is very important, the girl child is free to choose who or whatever she so wishes to be.
1 January 2018
#BRINGBACKOURGIRLS
The
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari made a
declaration through the senator for Borno South senatorial district, Senator
Mohammed Ndume, at a gathering in Chibok. In the Declaration, he said that he has not forgotten about the
remaining 113 schoolgirls from Chibok in Borno State still being held by Boko
Haram insurgents.
As you
may already be aware of the fact that Boko Haram abducted 276 girls from a
Government Secondary School in Chibok, on the 4th of April 2014
in a very controversial circumstance that has been blamed on the military
authorities that are in charge of protecting Borno state. The girls at the time
were preparing for their West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
Fifty-seven of the abducted girls escaped, three were later found, while 103
were released under some sort of negotiation arrangements. Nineteen parents of
the victims are said to have died so far. However, one hundred and thirteen of
the schoolgirls are still held by Boko Haram in unknown places.
While speaking with
the people of Chibok community on behalf of the President, Senator Ndume said,
he was on a visit to convey a message from President Muhammadu Buhari, who
instructed him to inform them that his administration is determined to put an end
to the insurgency threatening peaceful of the people.
He reiterated the
president’s assurance that the abducted Chibok girls being held by Boko Haram
are still on his mind. He stated that there were certain lapses during the
initial negotiation that led to the release of the other girls. The president
is, however, commitment to ensuring release of the remaining girls still in held
captivity by the wicked group of people. He also stated that the president
would have loved to visit Chibok and address the people himself, but due to his
tight schedule, he is unable to do so. The senator on behave of Mr. President
also implores the community to divert their energy into commercial agriculture
in other to boost the economy of their society.
The chairman of the
Abducted Chibok Girls Parents’ Movement for Rescue, Malam Yakubu Nkeki, showed
his excitement regarding the president’s assurance of making sure that the
girls will be returned to their parents. He expressed his appreciation to Mr.
President for his display of solidarity with the families of the affected
children. He also promised the president that he will get every needed support
and cooperation of the parents of the abducted girls and the entire community.
It was however
reported last week, by Wall Street Journal, that 13 of the remaining Chibok
schoolgirls being held captive had died due to hunger, sickness, and snake
bites. “Of the remaining 113, at least 13 have died, it says. Some were felled
by malaria, hunger or a snake bite,” the report states. It also added that
Among those forcefully married to Boko haram fighters, at least two died in
childbirth.”
13 December 2017
A girl at a time..... SANITARYAIDNG
Around the world, menstrual hygiene products are still unaffordable for the less privileged and disadvantaged women. In Nigeria, it is estimated that the average menstruating person between ages 12 and 49 will spend about N24,500 ($70) per year on basic menstrual hygiene products.
Women are actually highly
vulnerable to infections when they are on their menstrual period, and so if
they have to make use of alternative and unhygienic items, it becomes more
dangerous. Majority of these women are already living in unhealthy conditions
that just makes the risk exponential.
In our society, people just
assumed that menstruation is a woman thing and they should deal with it themselves
because it is a woman’s problem, and so it shouldn’t be something that everyone
pays attention to. I believe that through sensitization and raising awareness,
or by just talking about what getting your period entails, people’s opinion can
be changed.
Mothegirlchild has taken
a special interest in a nongovernmental Organisation (SANITARYAIDNG) who has
the interest of providing menstrual hygiene products to internally displaced
persons in Nigeria and the less privileged. We will be helping in raising funds
for this cause. Please no amount is too small even if it is
the price of one pad you donate, be rest assured that one girl gets that
pad.
There are thousands of less privileged girls and young women in Nigeria that can't afford these pads yet they need it every month, some of these girls use clothes, tissue paper, even rags that end up having harmful effects on them... Please this is what we are trying to reduce and in the end, eradicate. *A girl at a time*....
There are thousands of less privileged girls and young women in Nigeria that can't afford these pads yet they need it every month, some of these girls use clothes, tissue paper, even rags that end up having harmful effects on them... Please this is what we are trying to reduce and in the end, eradicate. *A girl at a time*....
One click on this link http://bit.ly/DonateSANG
and you would've helped at least one girl.... We are having another outreach soon, please help us put a smile on their faces.... THANK YOU
and you would've helped at least one girl.... We are having another outreach soon, please help us put a smile on their faces.... THANK YOU
29 November 2017
Child trafficking in Enugu
According to an investigative report by Bayo Akinloye of Punch Newspaper, Enugu State Government officials are deeply involved in the child trafficking saga going on in that State.
The amount of Baby factories in Enugu has been on the increase as young pregnant girls are held in such homes until they give birth. This has been in the news lately as the police keep unfolding such of these practices.
This is an example of one of such practices in which a 22year old Nworie Chijindu found herself. Nworie was one of three other girls that was arrested in January 2016. Before all these, she was a sales girl and along the line she got pregnant for her boyfriend. As a result of getting pregnant outside weedlock, she ran away from home and she was introduced to Dr Ozor Akpudacie. The doctor was to assist in nursing her through pregnancy. it was at this clinic that she met there otherr girls ( Miracle, Emmanuela and Chigozie)
According to Dayo's report, the police raided Dr Akpodachie's clinic and told them that they were been rescued from the doctor as his plan is to steal their babies after they give birth. At eight months pregnant Nworie was taken into the custody of the police and transferred to a clinic to give birth against her wish of going back to her family. after she gave birth, it was reported that she was maltreated and cajoled to surrender her baby. when she refused, she was forced to sign an agreement that she doesn't want to keep the baby but she refused and insisted that she wanted her baby. At some point, she said she was offered N50,000 to sign the form but she refused and she wa treatened that she will have to spend 10years in jail if she doesn't but she insisted she would rather be in jail with her baby. As the pressure mounted, her sister had to step in but she was declined access to Nworie.
Nworie's Councel who happens to be the President of Civil rights realisation and Advancement Network, Olu Omotayo also spoke about how Nworie was detained for 3 days and then arraigned on the 1st of April 2016 before the magistrate and then sent back to jail.
In the case of Ajie an Onwe, their babies were supposedly taken away from them and they got N50,000 respectively.
Dr Akpodachie was also said to have corroborated Nworie's story as he runs a Social welfare home that is approved by the Government. According to the report, he said he was approved to shelter pregnant young girls through delivery and then transfer them to the ministry who arranges the adoption process to befitting families.
my though on this their story is that Adoption is a legal process, however it should not be abused. as it stands right now, it is obvious that these guys work hand in hand to obtain children from young girls that 'catch belle'. This is absolutely wrong as they do not deserve to be pressured into giving away their children for adoption. it should be a desiton that one should take on their own without any influence. it is assumed that it is a business venture where they exploit these girls by selling their children to adoption agencies for example, an adoption agency based in Sweden claims that about 77 babies were adopted from Nigeria between 2008 and 2014
Photo credit :UNICEFUSA
14 November 2017
Sophia The Robot
The fact that a robot was granted an Saudi Arabian citizen has brought about a huge backlash because women in this same country are highly restricted by the laws that governs them.
Social media users all over the world are lashing on the fact that a robot is able to achieve what a lot of Saudi Arabian women are not.
Saudi Arabian law requires a woman to always be accompanied by a male family member to public places however, Sophia doesn't go on stage with a companion of any sort, she doesn't cover her hair, wear the Abaya or hija, no scarf and yet Saudi Arabia is the first country in the world to grant a robot citizenship.
It is therefore obvious that after recently saying that they will begin to allow women obtain driver's license this country still has a long way to go as far as the right of women is concerned. According to ABC News, Human right Activists have labelled Saudi Arabia to be among the most oppressive country in the whole world.
8 November 2017
Miss Peru 2017
Gender based violence i a very terrible situation that is eating up our society and if something drastic is not done, so many women will not leave to tell the story. This is why the organizers of the Beauty Pageant Miss Peru 2017 decided to use the opportunity to spread and raise awareness about gender based violence in Peru.
During the Beauty Pageant, contestants are usually required to state their statistics on stage however, during this pageant, the contestants did not mention their height, bust and hip sizes, they gave statistics based on gender violence in Peru. for example a contestant introduced herself as Melina Machuca, and she said she represents the department of Cajamarca and her statistics are, more than 80% of women in her city are suffering from violence
Another contestant said 'My name is Romina Lozzono and I represent the constitutional province of Collao and my statistics are, over 3,114 women were victims of sex trafficking up till 2014.
During the question time for the finalists who made it to the last stage of the pageant, contestants were asked what law governing their Country they would like to change in other to fight Gender based violence.
This question actually got me thinking and if asked the same question, i would say that the Judiciary should be more swift when it comes to Gender based violence. If you have been following this blog, i am sure you will remember the case of a nine year hold minor that was sexually violated and the poor girl was threatened that she will be killed if she told anyone what happened, is still in Court and they have continued to adjourn and adjourned the case since the middle of the year.Justice shouldn't take too long to be served. The offense needs to be fresh in the head of the offender so that he can understand the gravity of what he/she has done and can learn from their mistake.
31 October 2017
Curbing Child Sex Trafficking
Sex traffickers make use of various means to abduct children these days and Social media is one of such means where they do not just abduct children, but also groom them before abduction. Parents are advised to make sure that they educate their children about the disadvantages of social media. i am not saying social media is a bad thing but i am sure that you all know that it has its own advantages and disadvantages.
I do not however think it is ideal for children to put their location on social media as it makes it too easy for them to be located by predator who pretend to be friends.
It is also very important to know and understand our teenager's opinion about sex at this stage as we all know that they have already developed an understanding of what sex is and you as a parent can not say you would like to force your own opinion, believe or understanding on them. If that is done the teenager will begin to hide things from such parent and the worst scenario is that the child will begin to confide in other people that might lead them astray and can end up running away from home.
Parents have to address the topic of sexting, unsafe relationships and abstinence delicately as experts urge us to talk about these things as it will make them confident to discuss such issues as relating to sex with their parents rather than a total stranger who can take advantage of them.
It is possible that at some point or another, a child might have been harassed sexually and they did not confide in you, here are some signs that you may notice:
The child begins to isolate herself from the family and doesn't want to be seen.
Sudden change in behavior.
Sudden change in her performances at school.
Unexplained injury and low self esteem.
These signs should never be overlooked. if the child at this stage still refuses to speak with you, please take her to see a specialist before they find solace else where.
26 October 2017
FREEDOM
The video had different young girls from different countries, race and nationality showing that these issues are not restricted to certain race or continent but rather it is a global issue that needs to be addressed globally.
The video was directed by MJ Delaney, produced by Melani Gate's foundation, project everyone and Unicef.
In the video, it was highlighted that a girl dies every 5minute as a result of violence, one in four girls are given out in early/child marriage, that majority of the people affected as a result of human trafficking are women, that about 63million women had gone through some sort of female genital mutilation, and finally that there are 130 million girls currently out of school.
The video shows a high number of girls in need of help however, the major aim of the video is to create more awareness on the problems that young girls all over the world are facing. in the video, people are encouraged to put an end to child marriage, send girls to school, and put an end to violence against girls.
Please help spread this awareness to make the world a better place for all of us
watch the video below:
22 October 2017
Low Quality of Education In Nigerian Schools
During the stakeholder's meeting recently conducted by the Development Research Project Center (DRPC) in Abuja on the education of girls, the Jigawa State Commissioner for education commented on how low the quality of teaching is in schools, as trained teachers are not applying the skills that they obtained from their various training institutions. she said that because of this, children are not learning much in schools and she emphasis the reason for the government to address this issue and make sure that quality education is being delivered in our schools across the nation.
Judit Walker, who is the Executive Director of the Development Research Project Center encourages the Education founding agencies that they need to be more flexible enough to allow Non-governmental organisations and well-meaning Nigerian Citizens give some sort of support towards the girl child education where and when need be.
During the meeting, Mohammad Abubakar representing the Kano Emirate council said that the most important means of improving life and families is by educating the girl child. he also reiterated the interest of the Emire of Kano Mohammad Sanusi 11 on the importance of educating the girl child across the Northern part of Nigeria.
Musa Christey a representative of Malala Founndation said that her foundation is willing to partner with traditional institutions in other to make sure that girls are enrolled in schools and that girls that had at some point dropped out of school are encouraged to return to school to complete their education.
Education is the best thing you can give a child however, half or low quality education is very dangerous to a child and the society at large therefore the quality of education in schools need to be improved and the government Monitoring body for education need to do their job. Any school that their teaching isn't up to standard should be closed.
18 October 2017
FGM is a violation of the rights of the girl child
The World Health Organisation's (WHO) research on the reason why some people still indulge in Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) shows that it is practiced in other to have control over the female's sexuality because it is assumed that if the clitoris or certain parts of the female genitals is not cut off, the woman will be insatiable sexually which will lead to promiscuity and infidelity in marriage.
There has, however, been various campaigns addressing why this belief has to be stopped because FGM is still happening in our society today. Mr. Fall Mohammed of UNICEF acknowledges the effort that has been made so far in other to end this dangerous act but he stresses the fact that there is still a long way to go.
According to the National Demographic and Health Survey, 2013 conducted by UNICEF five state of Nigeria were highlighted to still be practicing this act of FGM. The states are Osun, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Imo and Oyo states.
The campaign against FGM is still an ongoing thing as there are still so many people that need to be educated and informed that there are no medical benefits of FGM but only physical and mental torture.
According to the Nigerian Tribune, Mr. Bolanle Ambode who is the wife of the Lagos State governor said she doesn't agree to young girls being subjected to such a dehumanizing act just because they need to avoid some social stigma. she says that 45% of most adult women in Lagos has undergone some sort of FGM as reported by the demographic health survey 2013 and the reason for the presence of FGM victims as a result of migration from other states of the country.
At the Federal level, the wife of the Nigerian President Mrs. Aisha Buhari also commenced a National Campaign last year to put an end to the practice of FGM in Nigeria. She calls on every Nigerian Woman to stand against FGM because it is a violation of the rights of the girl child.
FGM is however not just a situation going on in Nigeria or Africa alone, it was reported by the National Health Service (NHS) in May 2016 that although FGM is an illegal act in England, FGM cases get reported on a daily basis.
A female Genital Mutilation is an act of violence against the girl child and the fight against this act needs to be strengthened by parents and adults learning that it is very dangerous and damaging to the health of the girl child. campaigns against FGM shouldn't stop on till people are educated right from the grassroots in our villages to the classrooms in our schools.
Photo credit: UNICEF
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