For over a century, International Women’s Day has been celebrated annually on March 8 to honour women and to inspire women to fight to progress gender equality.The United Nations General Assembly defines “violence against women” as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mentalharm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.” The 1993 Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women noted that this violence could be perpetrated by assailants of either gender, family members and even the “State” itself.
Statistics have shown that one in three women and girls aged 15-24 have been victims of violence (DHS 2008). In Nigeria, most cases are not reported, they are seen as ‘secrets’, ‘family issues’ and there are no data to back our reports but everyday stories on the pages of newspaper, internet; social media sites have shown that no matter how ‘secretive’ violence against women is, it can never be hidden. It impairs development of our country. We see under-development starring back at us, we see motherless children clinging on their father who has just beaten their mother to death, we see brothers raping sisters, we see boyfriends sexually molesting their girl friends and everybody is watching.
* singing* Asa’s song
There is fire in the mountain
and nobody seems to be on the run
oh there is fire on the mountain top
and everybody is watching.
But this morning I would like to ask “How long do we have to watch all this?” Is there anyone who is tired of watching young women killed, raped, beaten and punished? like they say “seeing is believing, how much more do we need to see, believe and then act.
I worry for my future, I worry for my 5 year old daughter. I tell her how special she and unique she is. I tell her of the world, the people and great leaders. I also tell her not to allow anyone or listen to anyone who tells she is useless…. Tufiakwa! I also tell her body is God’s temple and nobody has the right to her body; It’s hers and hers alone. I tell her how beautiful she is and how education will make her more beautiful and shiny like the sun. I also tell her that she is a princess Adaeze…..the delight of her father! Most of all I tell her to be strong and determined. She is allowed to cry but for a while; It is okay to fall in love but with her head.
I also tell Isy, I am not worried over him because he is “Dike”. The world sees him as a VIP and that he is. I tell him to protect me, his sister and all other women he meets in future. I tell about the two greatest virtues “self-control and love”. I also tell him “If she says no, don’t force her”…..even when he fights for his sister’s book. I tell him how important education is…. “that’s what makes you a man…and not your manhood!
And they both give me hugs.
As we celebrate International Women”s Day, let us ask for Legal protection for victims of Violence, increase Campaigns to end Violence against women (involving both private and public sectors) and for government to acknowledge the importance of gender issues in development; let us remember that we are not doing all for us but for our future daughters, grand daughters…..we are one step closer, let’s keep moving. Great women have inspired the world in their various careers, let’s continue to inspire more women to move in that direction…freeing women from Violence and letting women free themselves.
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