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Tag: Women

  • Choose to challenge domestic violence against women – Ozioma Onyenweaku

    Choose to challenge domestic violence against women – Ozioma Onyenweaku

    Ozioma Onyenweaku

    The choice of Choose To Challenge as the theme for 2021 International Women’s Day’s celebration is quite apt. unless an undesirable status quo is challenged, it never changes for good. Every progressive change ever made in different aspects of life has been as a result of someone or some people challenging the existing one. So it is quite instructive, therefore, to call for a challenge in any area we desire a change. Today we do well to challenge domestic violence in Nigeria, in Africa, and world over.

    Domestic violence, particularly against women in Nigeria and all other African countries is a problem deep rooted in culture and social norms; social norm that accepts the hitting of woman a form of discipline.

    Granted anybody can be a victim of domestic violence, but traditionally and more often than not, domestic violence is committed against women and children. Common forms of violence against women in Nigeria are rape and other forms of sexual abuse, acid attacks, molestation, wife beating, harmful traditional practices, emotional and psychological violence.

    Domestic violence cuts across race, ethnicity, and geographical location; it respects no class, age, or social status.

    In some cultures, it is not usual for women to speak up in public, and so many female victims of violence suffer in silence.

    Being culturally and socially tolerated, domestic violence against women grew to an unprecedented level in Nigeria leading to many deaths.

    Before now, domestic violence was treated solely as family issue and private to the family; and not to be handled or looked into by any external person or body. So, perpetrators of domestic violence were left on the prowl as they were never prosecuted. And, of course,there were no legislations protecting anyone from domestic abuse.

    It was only when voices started raising against it that the government started taking action. Lagos State blazed the trail with passing into law the Lagos State Protection Against Domestic Violence Law, PADVL 2007. The federal government on its own passed The Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act of 2015, which prohibits female genital mutilation, harmful widowhood practices, harmful traditional practices and all forms of violence against persons in both private and public life. This, of course, is applicable only in the federal capital territories. States are to pass same into their State’s respective laws in order to be operative in those states.

    Following the federal Act, Oyo state, in 2016, passed its own laws against violence; followed by Kaduna state in 2018, Anambra State in 2018, Enugu State in 2019, Bauchi State in 2020, and the latest being Abia State on October 1st 2020.

    These laws will remain laws on the paper if people particularly victims of domestic violence do not break the silence culture, and stand up against the violence by speaking out.

    In some cultures, it is not usual for women to speak up in public, and so many female victims of violence suffer in silence. To such women, I say, the world has now moved forward. There are laws now protecting you; so all you need do is speak out, and die not in silence.

    We all have a duty, a social responsibility, to challenge domestic violence against women and violence of any sort. In as much as none should be encouraged to leave her marriage, please do not stigmatize any woman for leaving abusive marriage. Many have lost their lives for fear of this stigma.

    No woman would like to leave her marriage except her life or mental health is in danger. The report from the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team DSVRT shows that most of the women who had been there only wanted the violence to stop; and were not consider leaving their husbands. Women cherish and treasure their marriages. But where the marriage presents danger to her life and health, and she leaves, why should she be condemned and stigmatized?

    Many families, particularly the woman’s family, prefer family image to the life and health of their daughters. That is why most of the time, when a woman runs from abusive marriage, her parents would tell her to go back so as not to bring shame to the family. We must stop all these.

    I appreciate the Abia state governor’s wife, Deaconess Nkechi Ikpeazu for pushing tirelessly for the passing into law the Violence Against Persons Prohibition, VAPP, law in Abia State which became a reality on 1st October 2020;Also, Chief Steve Mpamugo, for showing zero tolerance for domestic violence against women within his Local Government. His prompt action in the recent case of the woman almost battered to death in his local government area is well appreciated. Thank you, youths of iIkwuano Local government area, for choosing to challenge domestic violence against women in your area. We are following through on the case on ground.

    May we, all of us, choose to challenge domestic violence against women.

  • Google earmarks $25m grant for girls in Africa

    Google earmarks $25m grant for girls in Africa

    Google.org on Monday announced that it had earmarked $25m grant funding for its new Global Impact Challenge (GIC) for Women and Girls in Africa.

    Juliet Ehimuan, Country Director, Google Nigeria, said at a virtual event to mark the International Women’s Day (IWD) that Google was also reinforcing its commitment to the empowerment of women and girls on the continent.

    She said building on their previous work in gender equity – with grantees like the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Laboratoria and GiveDirectly – Google.org was seeking applications from organisations in Africa and around the world.

    Ehimuan said that the GIC for Women and Girls, which would provide $25 million in overall cash grants to nonprofits and social enterprises, follows initiatives such as the 2019 Africa launch of Women Will, Google’s initiative to create opportunities for women, and Google’s #IamRemarkable workshop series.

    ‘’Grantees, who will be announced later this year, are eligible to receive funding ranging from $300,000 to $2 million, selected organisations will also receive capacity building support and mentoring from Googlers,’’ she said.

    The country Director said over the past five years, Google.org had given over $55 million in cash grants to non-profit organisations that support gender equity and access to opportunity for women and girls around the world.

    She said that empowering women and girls in Africa to reach their full economic potential, and to thrive, was more critical now than ever as they bear the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Quoting the Foresight Africa report 2021, Ehimuan said it confirmed that the coronavirus has “exacerbated already-existing gender inequalities, laying bare serious fault lines in safety, physical and mental health, education, domestic responsibilities, and employment opportunities”.

    She said that despite decades of work aimed at achieving gender equality, the disparity between men and women not only remains – it is growing alarmingly, thanks largely to the global pandemic, the report warned.

    According to her, the GIC for Women and Girls was focused on changing the status quo, that job cuts, income losses and lack of education, were not simply side-effects of the pandemic, but would negatively impact the economic strides made by women and girls for many years to come.

    “As economies and societies rebuild, we need bold new ideas that will propel us forward. We cannot afford to go back to the way things were, and we certainly can’t do it alone.

    The country director added that we have a collective responsibility to ensure that generations of women and girls from all walks of life—no matter their race, sexual orientation, religion or socioeconomic status—live in a world where they are treated equally and can realise their full potentials.

    Ehimuan said when women and girls have the tools, resources and opportunities to turn their potential into power, this not only changes the trajectory of their individual lives, but also strengthens entire communities.

    ‘If we lift up women and girls, the rest of the world will rise, too,” Ehimuan said.

    She said organisations have until Friday, April 2, 2021 at 11:59pm GMT to submit their applications at g.co/womenandgirlschallenge.

    An all-female panel of expert Google executives and world / business leaders, including Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women; Victoria Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on SDGs, among others, would preside over the application review and selection process once application closes, Ehimuan said.

  • As a mother, I’m worried about kidnappings of women, girls in Nigeria – Aisha Buhari

    As a mother, I’m worried about kidnappings of women, girls in Nigeria – Aisha Buhari

    The first lady of Nigeria, Aisha Buhari, has urged the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to bring an immediate end to the incessant spate of abductions of women and girls in the country.

    “As a mother, I share the sorrow and agony of the victims and their families. I am also not unaware of the impact that these abductions could have in reverting many successes we have hitherto achieved, especially in terms of girl-child education and early marriages.

    In a message to mark the 2021 International Women’s Day, the president’s wife called on all stakeholders to continue to exert their different levels of influence and bring an end to the kidnappings.

    Her personally signed message which was titled “Message of the First Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, on the occasion of the International Women’s Day 2021,” was published via Twitter on Monday.

    It read, “Today marks the 2021 edition of International Women’s Day. The day offers yet another opportunity for humanity to review and reflect progress made on issues of women and girls.

    “This year’s theme: Women In Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World is a strong call to appreciate the efforts of women and girls in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

    “COVID-19 has had a huge impact on women; disrupted education and careers, lost jobs, descent into poverty, and proliferation of domestic violence. Many have also died or suffered due to lack of access to basic information on the pandemic, It is therefore important, not just to continue spreading the message of the COVID-19 protocol, but to remember and support those who have been affected negatively by the pandemic in one way or another.

    “Away from COVID-19, women and girls in Nigeria have continued to suffer abductions both in the hands of insurgents and bandits.

    “As a mother, I share the sorrow and agony of the victims and their families. I am also not unaware of the impact that these abductions could have in reverting many successes we have hitherto achieved, especially in terms of girl-child education and early marriages.

    “I call on all stakeholders to continue to exert their different levels of influence and bring these abductions to an end and to assure us that girls are safe anywhere they may find themselves.

    “My best wishes to women all over the world for their resilience, hard work, and commitment to the progress of humanity. Happy International Women’s Day.”

  • WHO: Women less likely to die from COVID-19 than men in Africa

    WHO: Women less likely to die from COVID-19 than men in Africa

    Women account for a slightly smaller proportion of COVID-19 infections and deaths compared with men, a preliminary analysis by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 28 African countries shows.

    WHO Regional Office for Africa said this in a statement issued from its headquarters in Brazzaville, Congo on Thursday.

    According to the statement, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, reported the findings of the analysis at a virtual press conference on COVID-19.

    Moeti said the analysis was based on COVID-19 gender specific epidemiological data provided by countries.

    “The data found that although women account for around 41 per cent of COVID-19 cases, this ranges from 31 per cent in Niger to over 57 per cent in South Africa.

    “In most countries, women are somewhat less likely to die from COVID-19 than men.

    “For instance, in Cote d’Ivoire the case fatality ratio stands at 0.4 per cent for women compared with 0.5 per cent in men.

    “In the Democratic Republic of the Congo it is 2.2 per cent versus 2.7 per cent and 0.1 per cent versus 0.5 per cent in Seychelles.

    “This comes despite women accounting for a large part of the health workforce which puts them at higher risk of infection,’’ she said.

    According to the statement, in Africa more than 95,000 health workers have been infected with COVID-19.

    It stated that in Seychelles, women accounted for 71 per cent of health worker infections, 64 per cent in Eswatini, 55 per cent in Cote d’Ivoire and 54 per cent in Senegal.

    “Further analyses are required to determine the factors behind the disparity in infections between men and women. However, some studies have suggested that biological, behavioural or social factors could be responsible.

    “Other studies report that men are significantly more likely to suffer severe effects of COVID-19 and more likely to have pre-existing conditions, explaining the slightly lower fatality rate seen in women.

    “However, the pandemic and the initial strict containment measures such as lockdowns, movement restriction and school closures accentuated existing vulnerabilities faced by women and girls,” Moeti stated.

    The statement, however, quoted Moeti, as saying, “the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and girls have been profound, leaving many grappling with heightened risks to their health and safety.

    “Our response must go beyond the clinical aspects of the pandemic and address the hidden crises that risk causing long-term effects to lives and livelihoods.”

    With the pandemic accentuating challenges to accessing essential health services, a WHO preliminary analysis in 22 countries found 10 reported a rise in maternal deaths.

    The highest increases reported in Comoros, Mali, Senegal and South Africa between February and July 2020, compared with the same period in 2019.

    Nine of the 22 countries reported a decline in births in health facilities and an increase in complications due to abortions.

    Studies have also found that violence against women, and particularly domestic violence, increased in several countries as security, health, and financial worries created tensions and strains which were worsened by the confined living conditions of lockdown.

    The global health agency further said the economic fallout due to COVID-19 had greatly affected women.

    It stated that informal workers, most of whom were women, accounted for more than 90 per cent of the labour force in sub-Saharan Africa, citing a World Bank report.

    “Informal sector jobs have been particularly hit by the pandemic; WHO is working with countries to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on women’s health.

    “Several countries have implemented initiatives to ensure services for sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, adolescent and older people’s health are maintained.

    “The projects include reorganising antenatal care services and providing personal protective equipment to minimise COVID-19 infection and mobile-based family planning services.

    “It also includes self-care options for oral and injectable contraceptives as well as public private partnerships to deliver contraceptives and other family planning commodities,” said WHO.

  • I cannot deny I love beautiful women-Flavour

    I cannot deny I love beautiful women-Flavour

    Talented highlife crooner, Flavour N’abania has opened up on his love for beautiful women.Speaking in a chat with media personality, Ebuka Uchendu, the father of three said he doesn’t just go for any kind of woman, adding that he has taste.

    “That’s people judging (me), you know. As long as you are in the public eye, you would get stuff like that. It was never planned, though I cannot deny that I love beautiful women. I am an African man, not a white man. I have taste too with women. I don’t just go with anything.”

     

    Asked why he has stayed consistent with highlife music over the years, Flavour said, “It is not about money. It is about being original. My style is highlife, RnB and contemporary jazz. I stuck with highlife because I want to be original. I want to be remembered for something. I am also adding culture to my sound. I want you to know I am coming from somewhere. When you hear my sound, you would think about the eastern part of Nigeria. That is my pride. That should not limit me or the way you see me. We need to celebrate all we have. People ask me if my kind of music is afrobeats. But, I tell them it is highlife. Why are there no awards with categories like ‘Best Highlife Song’, and ‘Best Fuji Song’. Why is everything about afrobeats? We are limiting ourselves. Afrobeats is great but there is more to Africa than that. We don’t need other people to bring it out for us. Is it until (a former US President, Barack Obama, or Beyonce tell us they love high-life music? We can start it from here.”

  • No rural women, no food, famine certain – Dele Sobowale

    No rural women, no food, famine certain – Dele Sobowale

    By Dele Sobowale

    “He gave it for his opinion that whoever could make two ears of corn or two blades of grass to grow upon a spot where only one grew before, would deserve better of mankind and do more essential service to his country than the whole race of politicians put together.”

    Jonathan Swift, 1667-1745 in the book IBRAHIM B BABANGIDA 1985-1992: LETTING A THOUSAND FLOWERS BLOOM, P 85.

    Women produce about 70 per cent of food in the developing countries – including Nigeria. That should not surprise anyone who has been close to rural communities. The bulk of the food produced in Nigeria is grown on subsistence farms; on which the farmer and family produce a little more than they need themselves and sell the rest to raise cash for other needs.

    Until November 1986, almost 35 years ago, when the Better Life Programme, BLP, was launched by Mrs Maryam Babangida, the contribution of women to the food security of Nigeria was very low. The nation’s food import bill rose to unsustainable levels. Several factors, too numerous to list, were holding back Nigeria’s rural women from contributing more. But, the most important were: land acquisition in their own right, credit and lack of rural setting organisations promoting agriculture in general and food production in particular. Maryam Babangida and the BLP removed most of these impediments.

    I was a large scale corporate Farm Manager and close observer both at Karu Local Government, Nasarawa and Sokoto/Zamfara states of the plight of rural women during the period under discussion. I can testify to the transformation of the lives of millions of rural women by the BLP. Permit me to just present the map of Nigeria in 1991 after four years of BLP – from almost a blank slate.

    Since 1991, successive governments have not advanced the march to sustainable food security by one inch. Instead, they have allowed all the structures left by BLP to deteriorate. Only the increase in the population of rural women, as well as more acreage cultivated had spared us the pangs of devastating mass hunger. But, everything changed since 2015 – with the new Buhari government. There is no need to repeat what is now well-known about the lives of rural women.

    Today, as we look forward to the rest of 2021, one of the nearest things to certainty is FAMINE. And, we all know why. Herdsmen, kidnappers, bandits and governments neglect of rural women have left us hanging on the ropes for survival – which is impossible without food security. Despite my inability to travel around the country as usual in 2020, I have kept in constant touch with my friends and informers in seven Northern states – two North East, two North West and three North Central. They serve as my Agricultural Intelligence Officers, AIO – making it possible for me to fairly well predict the productivity expected each year. They are seldom off the mark because farming is their only means of livelihood. None of them is looking forward to 2021 with much hope.

    Their forecasts this year are uniform – very, very poor harvest on account of rural women who no longer want to take the risk to go farming. One of them, a rice farmer in Badeggi, Niger State, started 2020 with 250 rural women working their farms and selling excess rice to him. The number was reduced to 49 by October. He is starting with only 27 this year. He is not alone. Several millions husbands are keeping their wives at home; fathers lock up daughters who before now had gone eagerly to farm. It is bad enough that the criminals have seized control of rural areas, it is more discouraging that the Federal and state Governments provide no hope that banditry and destruction will end soon.

    “For every folly of their [leaders], [Nigerians] feel the lash. Horace 65-8BC.

    The main difference between now and 1986 is leadership. Nobody now gives a damn about rural women who have largely been driven off the land by male hoodlums. Unfortunately, rural women farmers are not the only losers in this deadly assault on them. Everybody will feel the lash – including the criminals. When herdsmen first invaded farms nationwide with AK-47s, FG officials refused to take action. Instead, they blamed the victims of the destruction of harvests. Appetite grows with eating. So, herdsmen invaded more farms. Still it never occurred to our myopic leaders that, after a while, farmers might stop working for the brutes and their beasts. When at first hoodlums, murderers and kidnappers attacked rural women – nobody took steps to stop them. Together, they have driven rural women from farms. Everybody will suffer. Prices of food stuff are now escalating. Let nobody deceive you. They are not coming down soon. Gradually, basic food items are being priced out of the reach of the 102 million poor. They are barely affordable by the middle class.

    They will remain so until the governments of Nigeria find a way of attracting rural women farmers back to work. Unfortunately, there is nobody in “the other room” to plead for rural women – which is another way of pleading for all those who might starve to death.

    LAST LINE. Life does not often move in straight lines. Sometimes, it boomerangs. Nigerians read recently about the woman leading kidnappers in Kano State. From information reaching me, her late husband, from Bidda area in Niger State, was a big rice farmer whose farms were ruined by herdsmen. He took up the gun; became a cattle rustler, with his wife, until he was gunned down. But, that was after he had also gunned down several herdsmen and stolen their cattle!!! So, who wants to farm under the circumstances?

  • Why women should not shave pubic hair

    Why women should not shave pubic hair

    A gynaecologist, Dr Jen Gunter, has advised women against shaving their pubic hair.

    Gunter, who is author of The Vagina Bible, warned women against waxing or shaving their hair, because, according to her, it can cause “microscopic trauma” that can lead to infections.

    She said the hair is necessary to protect the skin by acting as a barrier against the outside world and that shaving may also reduce sexual pleasure.

    “Hygiene” is the most common reason women remove their hair.

    “Waxing, shaving or ‘sugaring’ – mixing sugar, lemon juice and water to create a wax-like gel – may do more harm than good,” Dr Gunter warned according to BBC.

    “You are causing microscopic trauma to the skin,” she added.

    “Pubic hair has a function, it is probably a mechanical barrier and protection for the skin,” she said.

    “It may also have a role in sexual functioning because each pubic hair is attached to a nerve ending, that’s why it hurts to remove it.”

    Dr. Gunter advised those who still want to shave their pubic hair to use a clean razor and shave in the direction of the hair.

    She warned that going “against the grain” increases the risk of ingrown hairs, which can become infected.

    And for people going for a wax, she said they must ensure the technician does not “double dip” the wooden sticks used.

  • Women are more than baby-making machines- Khafi

    Women are more than baby-making machines- Khafi

    Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Khafi Kareem has debunked the rumours that she is pregnant.

     

    Seemingly not pleased by the commentaries she has been getting about her pregnancy status, the reality TV star took to her Instagram page on Sunday, November 29, 2020, where she slammed those spreading the rumours.

    “The way I’m looking at the next person who drops a pregnancy comment on my post. Continue reading if you don’t want to get BLOCKED. (I’m not joking). I’ve ignored them for the longest now but according to the womb watchers on social media, I have been pregnant for over a YEAR. So let me get this off my heart,” she wrote.

     

    “Some people have flat stomachs naturally and some people have big stomachs naturally. The latter is ME. And when I’m on my period it is even BIGGER. I don’t owe anyone a flat stomach but still I try to suck in my belly in every single picture and sometimes I do it better than others.”

    According to Khafi, women are more than babymaking machines, and the decision of having kids is all up to them and their family members.

    “The worst is that even when I’m proud of my ‘sucking in skills’ on a particular picture there is always SOMEONE who still comments something about pregnancy. This is a habit that HAS TO STOP.”

    “First of all, women are more than baby-making machines. A woman’s fertility or decision to start a family is for her to decide, not for you to comment on in every single picture… Must our stomachs always be the first thing you look at?? ? Secondly, I’m not just speaking up for myself but for women in general. You may mean well when making pregnancy remarks but it is not always a compliment,” she added.

    “For women who have had miscarriages, have been trying unsuccessfully for a baby, or simply conscious about their weight it can be very distressing, triggering and also puts a lot of undue pressure on them. So unless someone has announced a pregnancy or told you then please be nice and DONT COMMENT OR CONGRATULATE them on one.”

     

    Trust me when the time is right I welcome pregnancy (twins please Lord!?anyone and starting a family at God’s time. But until I’ve said I’m expecting please stop with the pregnancy comments. I’ll have no patience for them anymore and any one who writes such comments will get BLOCKED.”

    “To those who mean well, thank you so much, I do love you all? But to the amebos please be amebos elsewhere ?. It’s pressure enough being a woman, so let’s not add to it. Happy Sunday “

     

     

  • Nengi kicks, laments over how women are treated

    Nengi kicks, laments over how women are treated

    BBNaija lockdown star, Nengi Hampson has lamented over the double standard portrayed when men and women are offered the same thing in any society.

    In a tweet shared on her handle on Tuesday,Nengi who was recently appointed a Special Assistant to Bayelsa state governor, Duoye Diri, stressed that when a man gets something, it is believed it’s well deserved but when a woman does, she must have sold her body to get it. Nengi says the double standard irks her.

    “The double standard irks me.. A man gets something, it’s well deserved but when a woman does, she had to sell her body for it. Funny how it’s even women undervaluing women. No, not funny actually.

    Grateful for the people who are constantly working to unlearn the way Patriarchy has clouded how we walk through the world.”she tweeted

    Her statement has triggered various reactions on social media.

    Read the comments gathered by TheNewsGuru below:

    @Fabyorubachick: She’s right but I watched you for 70 days and you are in no way a Feminist.. do not act like one now.

    @Noggra: Who typed this for her? I come in peace

    @Sheilablinky: Should I call this guilty conscience or what

    @Omowunmiokunade: I swear she’s saying the truth, women keeps bringing down each other too and making things worse, no support, always competing

    @Ozonebelievers: Nengi is equally educated and shouldn’t be limited to just beauty and curves ! If people start judging uncle Charlie by his looks how he go feel?
    An orphan trained herself through school yet grandpas don’t rate it just because she went for bbn to better her life! If we want the country to be great our minds and reasoning needs to be great too

  • WTO job: Women call for prayers for Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

    WTO job: Women call for prayers for Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

    The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has called for continuous prayers for the final declaration of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as the 7th Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

    On Oct. 28, the General Council of the WTO declared Dr Okonjo-Iweala as the best suited candidate to occupy the position, but the United States of America challenged the declaration and said it would continue to support the next candidate in line, South Korea’s Minister of Trade, Yoo Myung-hee.

    Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance got the endorsement of 106 countries including the European Union and ECOWAS as the preferred candidate for the position.

    Following the United States of America’s objection, a follow-up meeting of the Council was slated for Nov. 9 for a final decision to be made.

    National President of NCWS, Mrs Laraba Shoda, said in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja that “our prayer is that come, Nov. 9, Okonjo-Iweala will be declared the consensus director-general of the WTO.

    “This will make her the first African and the first woman to occupy the position.

    “Undoubtedly, Okonjo-Iweala is a shining light and a beam of hope to Nigerian women, African women and to women all around the globe.’’

    Shoda called on Nigerian women, African women and women all around the world to continue to pray for Okonjo-Iweala as her victory would not only be for her, but for the entire womenfolk.