WHERE ARE THE WOMEN? I strongly believe that if our female parents will protest, there is a strong possibility things will start changing You have to admire her courage in writing this. There are times, such as now, when it becomes necessary to interrogate the collectiveposition of women in positions of influence and authority in Nigeria. As thebody count continues to rise in the North East, the latest focus of themurdering Boko Haram sect on innocent children and young girls, I am forced toask, “where are the women?” It hasbecome critical to ask because if I, as the former National Woman Leader forthe Action Congress of Nigeria and member of the National Council of WomenSocieties (NCWS) cannot answer this question, then it is likely that millionsof Nigerians are also searching for answers. Almosttwo weeks after news reports broke out about the abduction of 20 young girlsfrom a local college in Borno and close to week after the systematicallyplanned and executed massacre of children of FGGC Bunu Yadi, in Yobe, there hasbeen no official statement from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs &Social Development. There has been nothing from the First Lady of Nigeria, DamePatience Jonathan. There has been complete silence where any of the firstladies of the 36 states and the FCT are concerned. Most tellingly, there hasnot been a peep from the so-called umbrella body of all women Associations,NCWS. No cry ofcommiseration, no condemnation, no outrage to call the attention of the FederalGovernment and the security agencies to the tragic and unfortunate incidentthat has become a daily occurrence. Nothing to indicate awareness of what ishappening with our fellow women and their children, our future, who are beingkilled and abducted in the North East of Nigeria every day. It is ashame that our so called women who are in leadership positions have decided tokeep mute and stay in the comfort of their homes and offices because they aresurrounded by all the various security outfits. Are we all blind to what ishappening to the women and children in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States? Or arewe only interested in mobilizing women for various political jamborees? Justrecently, the National President of NCWS was seen supporting the ex-ministerStella Oduah during the scandal of the aviation ministry, even, to ourembarrassment, protesting in a show of support for the former aviationministers illegal purchase of armoured BMW Cars. We arelosing women and children daily but the NCWS President is yet to make astatement or mobilize fellow women to protest these barbaric killings. All overthe world over, leading any organization, comes with responsibility and deepcompassion and commitment for ones constituency but we do not see that withwomen in public office in Nigeria. However,all said and done, charity begins at home and I save my most heartfeltdisappointment and bitterness for the Vice President’s wife, Hajiya Amina Sambo and the wives of Governors fromthe Northern States. None of these women have considered it their duty to visitany of these states and commiserate with their fellow first ladies (Yobe, Adamawaand Borno) talk less of actually visiting families suffering loss, displacementand deprivation from the war that has been visited upon them. On everyissue that is vital to women and young girls in this country, our first ladiesand women in government (ministers, legislators etc.) are silent. The violenceagainst persons bill is still languishing in the National Assembly; theincidence of rape is on the increase, even of little children as young as 3 andstill no word from them. What we need to see is the First Lady of Nigerialeading women in government and other Nigerians to the National Assembly andthen sending a strong delegation to the affected states with relief materialsfor the traumatized women and children and the grieving fathers who are allcitizens of Nigerians and deserving of attention and care. Enough of dancingand praise singing, it is time to show solidarity, concern and affection forthe plight of women and children in the North East. Hafsat MBaba Coordinator Global Initiative for women and Children in Kaduna.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 10:23:24 +0000