By Preye Dambo  

Disappointedly as it were, discrimination against women in Nigeria still exists in a large proportion, considering the debilitating occurrences in which women as victims appear to be at the centre stage. However, humanism as a branch of philosophy posits the equality and dignity of all humans. It further advocates the dethronement of all forms of discrimination, oppression or subjugation in its entirety.

Unfortunately there are a large number of factors militating against women prevalent in our society. The case of  unequal division of labour in household, child care and  duties, negative attributes towards women participation in public office due to lack of confidence on the part of the electorate, particularly the men folk and a host of others are some of the common ills experienced. The universal declaration of human rights emphasized that individuals are born free and have equal rights and so Nigerian women should be accorded a better regard than what they experience today. Even though the Nigerian constitution guarantees the protection of the human rights of all Nigerians and provides for the equality of all its citizenry, violence against women is still prevalent.                                                                                                                                 

 Women have become victims of the harsh treatment meted out to them by society. They suffer consequences sometimes at the extreme resulting in death or sometimes great damage done to their bodies, emotion or lives. The media on daily basis try to work in consonance with the womenfolk in order to act against any form of hostility to them. In this regard, the media in its capacity lash at the perpetrators of this illicit attitude to the women and in the same vein seek justice for the victims but much does not seem to have been achieved so far.  

Violence in homes is viewed as a sensitive and private affair to the advantage of the male offenders. This is unjust. It is believed that once a woman is married, she is to endure whatever she meets in her matrimonial home. The criminal justice system in Nigeria provides almost no protection for women from assault in the home or community. Police or the court often dismisses family matters or even refuses to investigate such cases. This encourages male dominance and on the other hand, the women counterpart, afraid to lose their homes, can not report such abuses. In Nigeria, society blames women for a marriage without children.        .

In the area of healthcare, females have not been treated fairly. The burden of childbirth is undertaken by them on behalf of society as a whole. In Nigeria, the belief is that women are not expected to wield political power but to assist men to acquire power. This explains the postulate that behind any successful man there is a woman. A yawning inequality exists among the sexes in power sharing and decision making. In Nigeria they play a minimal role in politics. The ratio of female to male in the presidency in the National Assembly is exceedingly low. Chapter 2, section 15 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria prohibits discrimination in any form on grounds of sex.

Women are not only meant to be exposed politically but also educationally. Our society has established a system of education that has taught women from the cradle to the grave to be dependent on men. As such being exposed to proper education will give women leverage in search of gainful employment where men dominance is stronger. The experience of women in abuses ranging from rape to female circumcision goes to show societyʼs perception of women as subordinate to men.

Another area worthy of mentioning is child marriage. It is a system by which daughters are sold away in marriage like commodities. These girls are usually given out to rich men before they attain the age of maturity, sometimes as young as 12 years. In many instances, the men are afraid to wait, fearing that at maturity the girl child would reject marriage offer. For them, the only way to seal the deal is to pregnant the innocent girl as quickly as possible so as to tie her down to the marriage. These girls go through traumatic experience in such forced marriages and childbirth.

Nigeria has witnessed increase in liberation of women from religious, social, economic and sexual oppression particularly with the support of women liberation related NGOs. Today, women can vote and be voted for and have made considerable contribution in areas such as medicine, banking, law, journalism and insurance. Human rights ought to be gender neutral because human rights also include not only men, but also womenʼs rights.

Human rightʼs activist urge the Nigeria government to take immediate action to meet itʼs obligation under International Human Rights law of protecting women from gender bias. A bill on violence against women, prevention and prohibition was sent to the National Assembly in 2002 but it did not receive the necessary support to sail through the passage. This Bill needs to be revisited and reconsidered.

Legislation is seen as the most effective policy weapon for the abolishment of existing laws and discrimination in Nigeria. In other to prepare women for the new role, there should be leadership training especially in the remote parts of the country for enlightenment and education, so as to prepare their understanding of the functions of government and improve their political and administrative skills. To get the necessary experience, the women must be exposed to the art of governance.

There should be special rights and privileges for women in relation to childbirth and care of babies while pursuing their careers to achieve their potentials as human beings. For example, providing free maternity and related services will ensure that this goal is met. It is high time positive measures are taken to challenge discrimination against women in Nigeria.        

Finally, resources should be allocated to programmes aimed at the eradication of gender favoritism and also inculcate human rights awareness in women. There is a need to hold regular seminars, lectures and workshop to bring awareness regarding inequalities that prevail in our environment. In this regard, the role of the Ministry of Women Affairs must come to fore more than ever before to properly address the issue of women discrimination.

Preye Dambo
National Press, Abuja .
preyedambo@yahoo.om