The sad reality of being a woman in Nigeria

 

Introduction

To say that women are labelled lily-livered, sissy and effete in our present society, would be an accurate statement of fact. Thus, the misogynous use of the word “woman" when referring to a foolish person, a talkative, a coward or even a bad driver. Women are regarded as mere pleasure-giving objects whose ultimate duty is to make the home. This ideology is substantially corroborated in president Muhammadu Buhari's speech made on the 14th of October, 2016 in which he relegated his wife as only “belonging to the kitchen".

The sad reality 

A Nigerian woman, from an early age, is goaded to live in alignment with the dictates of society. There are certain standards and rules which are laid down that are meant to be obsequiously followed. Young girls are obligated to cook, do the dishes, and the laundry which will eventually lead them to be wholly dependent on their husbands while their male counterparts engage in their parent’s trade and by implication, acquire lucrative skills which they use to sustain themselves later in life. This, in the long run, will lead to independence and self-actualisation. The proportion of women in the formal sector is minimal, especially in industries and civil service. Statistics indicate that in the Federal Civil Service, which is the highest employer in the country, women are mostly found in the junior category. They are mostly involved in petty trading, street hawking and tailoring and the land on which they trade on is only accessible to them at the largess of their husbands, fathers or brothers.

Young women in Nigeria are most times denied access to education, especially in the hinterland. It is common for families living in penury to send their boys to school while offering their girls informal education at home. Thus, the saying “a woman’s education ends in the kitchen”. Schoolgirls are more often than not given away in marriages as a male companion is perceived to be a better option than schooling. This is a more common sight in the Northern part of the country (NDHS). They are groomed to be good wives rather than professionals. Studies have shown that discrimination in educational opportunities is the major factor behind higher poverty among females than males “Women should be seen and not heard”, is a grisly rhetoric women in Nigeria are constantly reminded of. It is in light of this that women shy away from political participation. Even though about half of Nigeria’s population are women, there is still Lilliputian participation amongst them. The ratio of men to women in the National Assembly is appalling; of 109 senators in the upper legislative house, only 7 are women.

The House of Representatives isn’t any different as only 22 out of 360 seats are occupied by women. Stereotypes, ideology and religion are indubitably the top factors responsible for attenuating the interest of women in governance. The intrepid ones who have indicated interest most times get crippled and demoralised by societal pressure and are christened "desperate" or even “greedy". The few who make their way to the polls do not get voted in because people including women themselves think them to be incompetent and incapable of delivering like their male counterparts.

The objectification of women, especially in the Eastern part of the country has become so horrendous and outrageous that they are not considered as “people" capable of inheriting property. The abhorrence of women from matters of inheritance has further contributed to making women imbibe a sense of inferiority complex. A widow without a male offspring is looked upon with commiseration, as males are regarded as a knight in shining armour capable of salvaging them from shame and intimidation. This is credited to the patriarchal society in which we live. Widows are left to suffer in the destructive hands of their husband’s relatives who not only scoff and accuse them of being responsible for his death but also subject them to torture, inhuman and degrading treatment under the umbrella of customs and traditions.

Conclusion

From the first day, till her last, the life of a woman in Nigeria is inevitably marked by discrimination, inequality, and stereotypes. What does it mean to be a woman in Nigeria then? It means losing one’s name, dreams, aspirations and sometimes job while surrendering to the dictates of one’s husband. It means being blamed for one’s misfortune in like manner as widows are blamed for the death of their husbands and rape victims are accused of being the cause as their short skirt is interpreted to mean consent. Succinctly put, it means being a second-class citizen.

Special appreciation to my research materials listed below.

#UNESCO, #WBO, #Kehinde Adejuwon, #Agbalajobi Damilola, #Abdi Latif Dahir

Author: Mmachi Offurum

Mmachi Peace Offurum is a student of the University of Nigeria with a flair for writing. She has keen interest in women education and mental health.

Email: peacemmachi4@gmail.com

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Fun facts:

✿ Crocodiles do not die of old age, because they do not age biologically. Instead they die of either starvation or a disease.