Anyone who lives in the UK is more than likely to have come accross the Sun newspaper, somewhere. Opportunities are endless to stumble across a copy whether it be at the bustop, on the train or even at work. Also, anyone who has chanced to open its pages would have been greeted by the sight of two female breasts (and usually of the larger variety) on page 3 of the newspaper. You couldnt miss it if you tried.
The Sun newspaper parades itself as a sports publication, so its usually as a surprise to an unsuspecting foreigner like myself to open the pages and be affronted by breasts. Now, I dont mind breasts at all, afterall, I have a pair myself, but what I found disturbing was the way women were depicted as being silly, brainless and only about looks. Young girls and grown women already suffer from a lot of self image and confidence issues without having to deal with this as well. Women should be recognised for what they can contribute, for their competence, hardwork and strength rather than being seen as sex objects.
So, if you havent heard already, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the public have seen the last of the exposed breast on page three (in print) after 44 years and I say, 'good riddance'. I am glad that my daughter wont be subjected to the Sexism of page 3. A small victory this may be, but it is a step in the right direction for gender equality and respect of the female. Congratulations to the #nomorepage3 campaigners for work well done. I only wish that the Sun would have replaced the topless women with interviews from successful sports women. What a diffrence that would make.
For more on the story, visit: http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jan/19/has-the-sun-axed-page-3-topless-pictures
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Monday, 19 January 2015
I'd Rather be Self made - A Laudable Initiative
Linda Ikeji is a lifestyle and entertainment blogger with a huge following, familiar to many Nigerians. I came across an inspiring post by her today entitled 'i'd rather be self made'. What is remarkable about this post is that Linda intends to use 10 Million Naira of her own money, not money raised by charity, not money donated by anyone else, but her personal money made through hard work to set up a business development fund, and advisory service for young women who are interested in setting up legitimate businesses, and who would otherwise be tempted to sell sex for cash. Wow!!!! Talk about women empowering women. This is amazing and one of the most inspiring stories I have heard coming out of Nigeria in a long time.
Linda says and I quote, 'I definitely want to do this because I want to give back...God doesn't bless you for you alone or your family, He gives us so we can pay forward and touch as many lives as we can with His blessings. That's my belief, so I'm really excited to do this.'
And that is the key to a more equitable society. Yes the government has its part to play, but so do ordinary people like us. The messages of prosperity, preached in churches throughout the nation, need to be tempered with a call to give back. Through Linda's venture, some businesses will start and succeed. Livelihoods will be established, some young women will be saved from the treachery of 'Aristos' (a term for wealthy men who pay young girls, usually at university level for sex) and many will go on to lead confident, fulfilling lives, knowing that they have a choice, and they will pass this message on to their own daughters.
I hope that what Linda has done will spark a movement of people giving back. I hope that it brings about a spirit of sharing, and caring for the progress of others. And so, I will leave you with a paraphrased version of Linda's words, 'God doesn't bless us for us alone or our families, He gives us so we can pay forward and touch as many lives as we can with His blessings.'
Check out the original post here:
http://lindaikeji.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/linda-ikejis-id-rather-be-self-made.html
Sunday, 18 January 2015
Saturday, 17 January 2015
Nigeria's First Female President
There is a lot going on in the Nigerian political scene right now as we approach 2015 elections. Sometimes when things get too much, it is wise to take a step back, catch a breath, clear the head and then return to the situation with a different approach. The new approach for Nigeria might be one that we have never considered before; a female President.
As a young girl, I had ambitions to become Vice President of Nigeria, note I said Vice President not President. It wasn't until many years later that I analysed my ambition and realized that I had been programmed to see myself as second to a man. I have over time and with great effort managed to shake off that burden but the majority believe it, and enforce it, and so it remains embedded in our culture. Something needs to be done to drive equality of the sexes for progress. This will only happen if more females are elected into government, rather than the token few that we currently have.
Many would sneer at the mention of a female President. 'A woman?' I hear many say with disbelief, 'has she finished making soup for her husband?' others mock. Even her fellow women shout 'God forbid!'. Such is the opposition that a female candidate would come against in her race to Aso Rock and actually, in a race to any government position. So entrained is the belief in our society that a woman must come under the rule of a man, that many, including women would not even permit the thought to cross the threshold of their mind. Finally, after so many years of 'same old-same old', a golden opportunity is being presented. A different option has appeared on the horizon in the form of a female Presidential candidate.
Remi Sonaiya is the Kowa party Presidential candidate. She has delivered a powerful manifesto worth considering. Unlike other manifestos, Remi's promises to establish equality within the society and, if delivered, will see a reduction in crime, an increase in respect for citizens by the police, access to normal services by disabled and aged persons, protection of females from all forms of abuse, an increase in literacy levels among the populace, and much more. Many of our social problems are highlighted as areas for attention in her manifesto, and if she succeeds in delivering even half of what is promised, then we would have made a lot of progress towards establishing a just and equitable society.
Nigerians, we now have a chance to do things differently. Are we ready for change?
As a young girl, I had ambitions to become Vice President of Nigeria, note I said Vice President not President. It wasn't until many years later that I analysed my ambition and realized that I had been programmed to see myself as second to a man. I have over time and with great effort managed to shake off that burden but the majority believe it, and enforce it, and so it remains embedded in our culture. Something needs to be done to drive equality of the sexes for progress. This will only happen if more females are elected into government, rather than the token few that we currently have.
Many would sneer at the mention of a female President. 'A woman?' I hear many say with disbelief, 'has she finished making soup for her husband?' others mock. Even her fellow women shout 'God forbid!'. Such is the opposition that a female candidate would come against in her race to Aso Rock and actually, in a race to any government position. So entrained is the belief in our society that a woman must come under the rule of a man, that many, including women would not even permit the thought to cross the threshold of their mind. Finally, after so many years of 'same old-same old', a golden opportunity is being presented. A different option has appeared on the horizon in the form of a female Presidential candidate.
Remi Sonaiya is the Kowa party Presidential candidate. She has delivered a powerful manifesto worth considering. Unlike other manifestos, Remi's promises to establish equality within the society and, if delivered, will see a reduction in crime, an increase in respect for citizens by the police, access to normal services by disabled and aged persons, protection of females from all forms of abuse, an increase in literacy levels among the populace, and much more. Many of our social problems are highlighted as areas for attention in her manifesto, and if she succeeds in delivering even half of what is promised, then we would have made a lot of progress towards establishing a just and equitable society.
Nigerians, we now have a chance to do things differently. Are we ready for change?
Tuesday, 4 March 2014
Sexual Abuse - An Insidious Evil
Sexual abuse of women and vulnerable children in Nigeria is happening each and every day. There are countless stories in the newspapers and on social media about children and women who have been subjected to the horrors of sexual abuse in various forms and the numbers seem to be increasing daily. In 2013, the Lagos state command reported that 678 rape cases were recorded between March 2012 and March 2013. This is only the smallest tip of the iceberg because most cases remain unreported particularly in rural areas where traditional and religious structures hold sway and seek to protect the perpetrator rather than the victim.
The federal government of Nigeria seems to be working towards establishing laws that protect both women and vulnerable children from this menace. However, much is left to be desired regarding the speed and seriousness with which this is being done. As an example, the Nigerian Child's right act which was passed into law in 2003 is still to be adopted by 10 out of 36 states of the Nigerian federation, and even in the states where the bill has been adopted, it is hard to see what impact if any it has had on protection of children against sexual acts. As for protection of women from abuse, the law has failed miserably as the law itself is discriminatory, placing women as second class citizens. It is still lawful for a man to 'discipline' his wife and any violent act against women is seen as a 'misdemeanor' carrying a maximum term of 2 years as compared to the 3 year sentence meted out for the same violations against a man. Thankfully, there are many organisations and feminist human rights lawyers who have taken up the issue of correcting the laws with the federal government and hopefully over time, this will lead to changes that will benefit both vulnerable women and children.
Notwithstanding the beleaguered state of affairs, there is something really simple that can be done NOW to begin to destroy this monster that is among us; We can talk about it, We can spread the word that child and female sexual abuse can be radically reduced if not stopped by empowering potential victims through education on how to protect themselves. Until we start talking about it, sexual abuse will remain an insidious evil that continues to operate in a seemingly harmless way but with very grave consequences for our soceity.
We need to talk about sexual abuse with our colleagues, children, family members, domestic servants and acquaintances etc. The more we talk about it and expose its existence and wrongness, the more potential victims will realize the danger that exists and would be perpetrators will no longer be able to pick off victims at will as it will get harder for them to commit these crimes. We shouldn't let anyone that we know become a victim, that in itself would be an injustice. To find out more information on how to talk about sexual or educate people, email moprotsa@gmail.com. Alternatively, the internet contains a wealth of information about preventing sexual abuse, some of this information is available from the following sites:
The federal government of Nigeria seems to be working towards establishing laws that protect both women and vulnerable children from this menace. However, much is left to be desired regarding the speed and seriousness with which this is being done. As an example, the Nigerian Child's right act which was passed into law in 2003 is still to be adopted by 10 out of 36 states of the Nigerian federation, and even in the states where the bill has been adopted, it is hard to see what impact if any it has had on protection of children against sexual acts. As for protection of women from abuse, the law has failed miserably as the law itself is discriminatory, placing women as second class citizens. It is still lawful for a man to 'discipline' his wife and any violent act against women is seen as a 'misdemeanor' carrying a maximum term of 2 years as compared to the 3 year sentence meted out for the same violations against a man. Thankfully, there are many organisations and feminist human rights lawyers who have taken up the issue of correcting the laws with the federal government and hopefully over time, this will lead to changes that will benefit both vulnerable women and children.
Notwithstanding the beleaguered state of affairs, there is something really simple that can be done NOW to begin to destroy this monster that is among us; We can talk about it, We can spread the word that child and female sexual abuse can be radically reduced if not stopped by empowering potential victims through education on how to protect themselves. Until we start talking about it, sexual abuse will remain an insidious evil that continues to operate in a seemingly harmless way but with very grave consequences for our soceity.
We need to talk about sexual abuse with our colleagues, children, family members, domestic servants and acquaintances etc. The more we talk about it and expose its existence and wrongness, the more potential victims will realize the danger that exists and would be perpetrators will no longer be able to pick off victims at will as it will get harder for them to commit these crimes. We shouldn't let anyone that we know become a victim, that in itself would be an injustice. To find out more information on how to talk about sexual or educate people, email moprotsa@gmail.com. Alternatively, the internet contains a wealth of information about preventing sexual abuse, some of this information is available from the following sites:
- http://www.stopitnow.org.uk
- http://www.rainn.org/get-information/sexual-assault-prevention/protecting-a-child-from-sexual-assault
- http://www.d2l.org/
Let us kill this monster by unearthing it and exposing it to the glare of the the public. Dont delay, let us start now, let us start today.
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