So I've been following
the story or do I say drama as it unfolds in the House of Senate over the Gender
Equality Bill which was brought to the floor and subsequently shut down. With
the way Nigerians reacted, especially on social media (which is our strongest
means and easiest way to express our "freedom of speech"), one would
think that something meaningful could have come out of it. But we speak anyway,
louder and louder until the desired results are visible.
The society we live in
today is different from the one our parents lived in where the females are
relegated to the background and the kitchen; their primary constituency. The
society we live in today makes room for everyone to be heard and equal
opportunities given. Although they do not in clear terms draw the line to what
a woman can achieve these days, there are more and more men from the times of
our grandfathers who still believe women are "weaker vessels" or
should be treated as second class citizens.
Look at the scale,
when a man is in a position of authority, his input in some cases are minimal,
but he is treated fairly, simply because he is a man. But if a woman occupies
the same position, she is made to work ten times harder, because she is
expected to fail, in fact the men sometimes, would make sure they frustrate her
efforts until she bows out or surrenders in defeat.
As the drama of the bill
unfolded, I got into a small discussion with my colleagues during lunch hour,
and one of the guys opened his mouth to say "I don't think these women
should be clamouring for such bill in the first place. We let them get to the
Senate, isn't that enough? The next thing they would want to take over the
majority or even want to be president, leading the men". This almost
caused a fight at the office as some men didn't find his comment funny, while
some of the ladies hurled insults on him. Then I sighted Hillary Clinton as a
strong contender in America's electoral campaign, and again someone said
"in Nigeria, a female president? We would end her career at the
preliminary stage." Now, if people who are educated and we'll informed so
to say, could reason so poorly, the question to ask is; are we really
civilised? What is our hope for tomorrow?
The Gender Equality
Bill may not have been passed, but there's still work to be done. We shouldn't
lose hope and faith in ourselves and what we believe in. Whether they double or
triple our workload, we can get it done!
Every woman has got
what it takes to shine and guess what? You make the men who they are today, so
to every mother or would be mother, raise your children alike! He doesn't
deserve to watch TV while the girl is doing the dishes. I've got brothers who
can find their way around the kitchen even better that myself, it's because
they were raised to be independent. No man should solely depend on a woman "domestically"
or otherwise and call himself a man.
I am a Woman, I don't
need the approval of a man or a "bill" to effect positive change!
I may wait for him to
turn on the power generator, fix my flat tires, or change the light bulb, but I
went to school like he did, wrote all my exams like he did...
Graduated like he did
and while he thinks I'm weak, I head the executive board of 85% men, and make astute
financial decisions wearing a bright coloured nail polish and a pair of show
stopping stiletto!
Written by: Soba Mac Pepple
Soba Mac Pepple is an Energetic, Electrifying and Outspoken Lady! Wild, Crazy Wild! And very much in Love... with Music. ‘’My Experiences are my Pieces, My Pieces are my Words, My Words are my Thoughts. I am a Writer, Lover and Believer’’
I Live, I Love, I Learn!
Twitter: @Undisguised1
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