Hello there. This post is a continuation of the previous post which was about Whispers first Feminist Discussion which held on the 10th April, 2020 on Whispers telegram groupchat (https://t.me/WhisperToHumanity) Discussion facilitated by Ifeanyi Oluchi June
Firstly, the feminists present shared their various feminist awakenings (refer to the previous post).
Facilitator: Cynthia would you say growing up in this patriarchal system limited you in a way while growing up?
C O: In a way it did because there were lot of times when I was silenced when I wanted speaking out, bullied for being a girl and at times seen as someone that will be married off in future.
Facilitator: Onyinye, do you think that in the reality of it, the gap between men and women has reduced to a large extent?
N O: On paper, probably, we have engineering jobs, employing women for the same jobs as men and paying them less with the "acceptable excuse" of maternity leave and not having to work so much. We have government level jobs employing women and refusing to promote them when due because, "they have a husband that pays the bills" and their make counterpart need the money more, so more than ever there's a need for feminist, because, gradually grounds are breaking, patriarchy will push back, nobody wants to give in to change especially one that denies them privileges. So more than ever we need feminist, to continue pushing till its no longer seen as an abomination for a female to rule.
Cynthia then shared a write-up that she had prepared for the discussion
The gender gap in Nigeria is still very much wide and keeps increasing as the day goes by. When we look out how girls are less likely to go to school than boys especially in the northern part of Nigeria, where girls who finish secondary schools are just 4%. Child marriage and sexual harassment has been the order of the day in Nigeria and domestic violence being on the rise. Women are less likely to access proper health services or gain access to financial services. Women are more likely to work in agriculture or other lower productivity environment. Political representation of women is lower than men as less than 6% of seats in parliament are held by women and less than every sixth firm has participation and ownership or Senior Management positions held by women. Some years back a bill on gender equality was passed to the Senate for approval but failed to pass the first reading.
Facilitator: Do you think feminism is needed in Nigeria? If Yes/No. Why?
C O: Yes feminism is needed in Nigeria to help in the advocacy of women's right on the basis of equality among sexes, the doctrine advocating social, political and all other rights and opportunities equal to those of men.
MaryJacob : It's a full Yes!!!
Feminism is the fight that has given us younger women and girls the opportunities our mothers and ancestral mothers were denied. And only feminism can give our daughters and daughters after a better society than we've got now.
The feminist discussion on the 10th April, 2020 was beautiful, emotional and true in every meaning of the word. Feminists got to share opinions, learn and unlearn beautiful things.
Cover Photo Credit @rawpixel