I finally understand what people mean when they say “Nigeria happened to them”. My experience this week was beyond horrible. Imagine co-organising and planning several events but not being able to show up for any of them. All through the week, I had to battle with epileptic power supply, no water, no fuel, and what have you. In fact, it got to a stage I was contemplating going to lodge in an hotel, then I realised I needed my phone to look for a good hotel and even to order for bolt ride, but there was no phone to use bringing me back to square one. In retrospect, I wonder how we were able to survive those years when we had no access to internet-enabled devices.
Anyways, thanks for letting me rant; now back to the business of the day. On 8th March 2022, we celebrated the International Women’s Day (IWD). In fact, this article was meant to be released a day before that date but as I said, my experience in Nigeria this week was really a triumphant perfection of inconvenience. They finally restored the light today hence I am able to complete this article. On the IWD, I joined other women in Abuja to participate in a non-violent protest at the National Assembly Gate to demand inclusive representation of women in politics.
This protest was driven by the fact that on 1st March 2022, the Nigerian National Assembly rejected several of the gender bills that were geared towards increasing women’s representation at the National and State House of Assembly. Our argument was that the active participation of women in politics is essential for sustainable peace and development of any nation (See my article on women’s political representation and sustainable development in Nigeria, 1999-2019 available at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349426736_Women’s_political_representation_and_sustainable_development_in_Nigeria_1999-2019).
This brings me to my point of what the International Women’s Day means to me as young woman. Celebrated annually on the 8th of March, the International Women’s Day (IWD) is a day set aside to commemorate the socio-political, economic, and cultural achievements of women. It is also used as a global call to raise awareness on issues concerning women such as gender equality, sexual and gender-based violence against women, reproductive rights, amongst other women’s rights matters. The history of the International Women’s Day dates back to the early 20th century originating from labour movements in Europe and North America. However, it began to gain huge momentum globally since 1977 following its adoption by the United Nations. The theme of this year’s celebration was “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow”, with the hashtag “BreakTheBias” used for the media campaign.
The IWD is a day to celebrate womanhood and raise awareness on issues that concern women and girls. As a young woman, I am indeed grateful for this year’s theme and hashtag as indeed there are many biases that we need to break if we hope in any way to attain gender equality. For me, gender equality does not mean that we want to be treated exactly like men or that we are fighting for the same position as men because we are not. Men and women are created differently, meaning there are some things women can do that men cannot do (such as giving birth) and there are some other things that we cannot do as women that men can do. The rise of women does not equate to the fall of men. Gender equality does not mean relegating men to the background or seeing men as oppressors that need to be conquered. Gender equality simply means creating equal opportunities and chances for everyone, irrespective of gender. For instance, if I decide to be an electrician or an engineer today, I should not be denied an opportunity to do so simply because I am a woman. What should matter is what I have to offer, that is my skillset and my ability to do the job and not what I have under my trouser/skirt.
As women, we experience different forms of biases every day. Women are dragged negatively for wanting to be career women; for wanting and not wanting to become full time housewives; for employing maids; for putting their children in day-care/crèche; for being independent; for giving birth via Caesaran Section (CS); and even for having a voice of their own. Breaking the bias means: challenging negative stereotypes about women; challenging discriminatory practices against women and girls, such as female genital mutilation, child marriage, etc.; questioning patriarchal norms that limit women’s rights and opportunities. Breaking the bias means standing up against injustice facing women and girls and saying no to all forms of cultural and structural biases against women. It means saying no to the objectification of the woman’s body especially in the creative spaces. Goal Five of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocates for gender equality and this cannot be achieved if the biases facing women and girls are not broken.
On the IWD, we are reminded of the unique strengths and qualities we have as women. We are bold, honest, tenacious, resilient, humble, teachable, compassionate, intelligent, go-getters, supportive, kind, beautiful, godly, classy, versatile, and confident. Indeed, we are blessed and are the apple of God’s eyes. We are therefore called to amplify our voices towards creating a gender-inclusive world.
To all the amazing women in the world doing amazing things in their different spaces; resilient women who refused to be made invisible; women who continue to shatter glass ceilings; women who work to add value to themselves; women who continue to fight for a world that is inclusive, equitable, and just; women challenging negative stereotypes and gender norms; and men who have been supportive in the fight towards gender equity. I say to you, shine on and shine bright, not just today but every single day.
Finally, I conclude by stating that the IWD provides us with an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on how far we have come towards achieving gender equality. We are also reminded that we must work together to develop relationships that are just and fair in the distribution of benefits and responsibilities between women, men, and other genders.