PRESS RELEASE BY BEAUTIFUL EVES OF AFRICA ORGANISATION (BEAFRO) ON THE 8TH OF MARCH 2014, ON THE COMMEMORAION OF THE 2014 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY- INSPIRING CHANGE. The revolution and women’s liberation go together. We do not talk of women’s emancipation as an act of charity or because of a surge of human compassion. It is a basic necessity for the triumph of the revolution. Women hold up the other half of the sky. ” — Thomas Sankara March 8 of every year marks the International Women’s Day, a day set aside by United Nations to celebrate women from all fields of human endeavor globally. On this occasion, Beautiful Eves of Africa organization (BEAFRO) is joining women all over the world and particularly in Nigeria, to commemorate this day with the theme: Inspiring Change. It is worthy to note that two third of the world population are women. More than 50 percent of the population of Nigeria, constitute of women. “Section 40” of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides for the right of every Nigerian to participate in public life. “Section 42” of that same Constitution provides for freedom from discrimination. Thus, at the international, continental, and local level, there is no legal provision which excludes the participation of women in politics and leadership roles in Nigeria, yet Nigerian women remain largely under-represented in comparisons to their male counterparts. Despite the sensitization programmes of CSOs and development partners, the percentage of women occupying elective and appointive positions has not been very cheering. The marginalization of Nigerian women in politics, leadership roles and decision making is as old as the Nigerian society. It actually predates the advent of colonialism in Southern and Northern Nigeria. Some of the factors that has led to women marginalization and undermining of women participation in the leadership role of Nigeria includes: Lack of access to adequate education (illiteracy); cultural practices and religious restrains; timidity; women’s perception of politics as a dirty game; violence, thuggery and intimidation of women in politics, etc. Take example of what is happening today in the northern part of this country, the women are the most affected ones. They lose their husbands, children, properties on daily bases and some of them also dead as well, while some of the younger women suffer reap. How does the woman make her impact felt in issues of National development today? One critical requirement is education. It is a popular saying that when you educate a woman, you educate a nation. Formal education will provide the ladder for women to climb up to leadership positions. No educated woman will allow her children or wards to attain an educational level lower than hers, also an educated woman is less dependent on people, and will surely lead others to the right direction. We therefore demand that: • A policy providing free education should be implemented by the executive arms of the government, and this education should be made compulsory for female children. • There is a need for a re-orientation by individuals, groups, institutions and agencies (both governmental and non-governmental) on gender equality issues that will translate into attitudinal change and response, which is necessary for the efficacy of gender equality and women empowerment in Nigeria. Thus, there is the need to initiate the culture of respect for human and gender rights in Nigeria. • Women in government should continue to invest on sharing of strategies and information resources, as well as forming networks and strengthening linkages with other women in governmental and non-governmental women’s groups and experts. • Parents and communities must also be encouraged to institute gender-equal educational agendas. In Nigeria, for example most parents do not bother much about girls’ education because they believe girls will end up becoming housewives. Despite all odds BEAFRO says the Nigerian women are one of the best especially at the global arena. Gone are the days that they were deceived that women education is worthless. Today, women are ministers, president of institutions, managers of bank, ICT experts, Chief Judges, etc. As we celebrate International Women today, let’s put more investment on Girl Child Education and the story will be more interesting. A girl child has to be given the opportunity to be educated regardless of her family status in the society. This is an area where Africa and indeed Nigeria in particular needs to prioritize so we can address issues of gender inequalities in terms of access to health, employment and business opportunities. BEAFRO charges all women leaders to make sure we involve all members of the communities while advocating for change of the status quo of gender equality in our African societies. By so doing, change will come and women will be given their rightful place in the society. I also call on Nigeria women and all other women all over the world to stand up and take their place in redeeming the desolation of our land and generation here and now, in our time and inspire change all over the world. Long live our women, long live Nigeria, long live the entire world. Okere Scholarstica Ngozi Principal Coordinator/Founder (BEAFRO)
Posted on: Sat, 08 Mar 2014 06:20:30 +0000