Hey Fam!
I recently had a conversation with a friend on how I ‘manage’ to make out time to read despite my busy schedule and she was very surprised and more surprised when I told her I buy newspapers…..to read…. and not to line my kitchen cabinet……well, that happens after reading. The ‘gist’ I had with her led me to pen my thoughts down on why women and girls should be encouraged to read and enjoy reading.
I strongly believe that the world has gone global but women are lagging behind. For instance, women make a big part of this country. We all think that the Nigerian woman is strong but something is missing….something is holding the Nigerian woman back…. what is holding women back? Is it culture? illiteracy? the willingness to embrace the changing times of technology? I can proudly say that the average Nigerian family depends on women in that family and if a woman gets it right, the whole family gets it right…..that is why we all agree that when you train a woman, you train a community.
Even in business, women have this distinctive intuition to know when a business will work or not work. Most times, women go into relationships with nothing, they should ask themselves what are they bringing to the table?
I think that sometimes a woman’s ability to think and make decisions for herself and her family is based on her ability to widen her horoscope, her ability to see beyond her immediate environment and this comes by reading…..a lot of reading. How many women read newspaper? they just read the fashion part or gossip column, they won’t even borrow books to read. Women should start buying books that will teach us about leadership and so on and slow down on fantasy novels….romance novels.
We have so many things to offer to our immediate environment compared to men.
Reading is a passion, I love to read and I believe that women should be encouraged to read. women should buy books for their children. Being relevant in your environment is key to growth; financial growth, psychological growth and so on and if you want to be relevant, you need to read to learn how to be relevant.
We should be aware that there is a challenge; culturally when “you know you are a woman” and then ‘they’ say to you “allow your husband to be on the fore front”……lol
I am happy to say I have benefitted from reading. I read books to solve life’s challenges. Books educate and makes one knowledgeable. I must emphasize here that women need to work on their reading culture. The pressure or focus usually is on getting the man not on developing themselves. Whatever career you are in find out how to be better….read read and read. It is not just reading books but also, getting access to information, reaching out to people or tools to get information. If the men are doing same, why can’t women do same.
Another challenge is stereotyping; we think if one is reading then it must be a book. but it really isn’t; pamphelets, newsletters, ebook, audio material etc. Some say “it must be ten chapters in one week”…..not true! read and use the information. Don’t be under pressure to finish a book in one day.
Men should support women; stimulate their interest. Men should talk to their spouses and let her tell you what she really wants and help her to achieve it. Help her to develop herself. Men could buy books for women. Help her to know that she has potentials.
It is also important to note that men expect women to intellectually wake up when the chips are down.
Reading is a personal journey…..take it slowly and enjoy it.
Ciao!
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