Feminism in Nigeria by Osaruese Osato-Aghimien

Alright so I'm finally doing this again. Hopefully this time I craft out some incredible masterpiece of brilliant literature that genuinely gets people talking, thinking and asking the right questions. But as we know beautiful works of inspiration don't usually start out with the author talking about making beautiful works of literature and listening to Désolé by Gorillaz and Fatoumata Diawara in the early hours of Wednesday morning. And yet here we are, you over at the other end reading this heartfelt composition and I on this end losing sleep trying to write this because I don't want to disappoint my superiors again.. 

Such is life..

So here we are discussing -well not really discussing but rather youreading me write on topic above. A topic which quite frankly I do admit to playing a major part in ensuring I got- It is as the head line says feminism in Nigeria.. (Ahh Benjamin Clementine just came up. Beautiful singer by the way, having a vocal similarity with John Legend now that I think about it.) Ah yes back to the topic feminismin Nigeria. Yes that. 

In the rise of the modern era, new ideals have stirred up with the dawn of this new age. The age of liberalism, the celebration of freewill and of course the acceptance and adoption of westernism by much of our world today the word. In light of this the term feminism is no longer a strange word and quite frankly it's a term a majority of the world population must have come across the word at one point or another in their estimated seventy to eighty something years of living.

So what really is it? This feminism thing.

According to some smart douches studying in some fancy universities who regular meet up for coffee and skype themselves in their free time. It is accroding to experts the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes feminism is the belief in the equality of rights and privileges for everyone regardless of their gender. It is movement thought to be based on the belief of equality of the sexes. Equality in the sense of both genders having equal opportunities. Also by definition it is activities geared up on behalf of women's rights and interests and before you start giving me thatfunny stares, it would interest you to know this is actually a definition according to Merriam Webster dictionary. In essence the words feminism and women's rights can be used interchangeably

Historically feminism is divided into three eras or waves as they are traditionally called. First wave feminism (late 19th century to early20th century), second wave feminism (1960s to 1980s) andthird wave feminism (1990s-2000s). These three eras of feminism had significant changes to the concept of feminism as a whole and with each new era there was significant change to the term

First wave feminism focused on overturning legal inequalities, particularly addressing issues of women's suffrage. 

Second wave feminism sought to broadened the debate to include cultural inequalities, gender norms, and the role of women in society

Third-wave feminism (1990s–2000s) refers to the diverse strains of feminist activity, seen by third-wavers themselves both as a continuation of the second wave and as a response to its perceived failures.

The desire to see a community were all genders had equal rights is what brought rise to first wave feminism, the first feminism movement. With the segregation and disenfranchisement of women in then society as really big issue as it created an imbalanced, unfairsociety were men were more if not completely represented while women was entirely shut down and relegated to nothing more than birthing factories, cooks and cleaners.

It didn't take long for more people to go to school get degrees andrealize that well, that was crap. It was stupid to keep women at home till they were of marriageable ages only then to marry them off while men were sent to schools to study, get degrees and shape society. These actions were creating an uneven dynamic in the simple unit of society, the family. If only men were trained and given an education and women were simply just birthed and marriedof, it basically meant that women were just a little bit worth more than common slaves. Yes that's right folks, people's biologicaldaughters were married of as people a little bit worth more than slaves. This realization is what gave birth to the need and rise of feminism as we know it. The coming of women's rights was alibreation for women for as time passed, restrictions put on women were gradually taken off until modern society as we know it today was born (Thank God). This new wave of change came with thegrowth of westernism as it spread to other parts of the world including Nigeria and so with the embracing of westernism by Nigeria, traditional laws were mostly discarded and more modern western laws were adopted. In Nigeria today a few traditional lawsexist but they are all superceded by state and federal laws which exist as higher authorities and are all encompassing gender neutral in nature, they exist to favour all in the nation.

The issue with modern feminism I believe lies two definitions of the term. That is

1. The theory of the political, economic, and social equality of thesexes

2. Activities geared up on behalf of women's rights and interests.

These two definitions are globally recognized as the correct definition of the term is modern day feminism. These two definitions existing side by side as being the correct definition of the word feminism create a problem for the term in itself as both definitions contradict themselves. Imagine saying that definition of white is bright colours but then again white can also be defined as dark colours. This I believe is the core problem and flaw with the concept of modern day feminism, the fact that both meanings contradicts themselves and are allowed to exist side by side.Practitioners of modern day feminism most times refuse toacknowledge this flaw and continue the practice of trying to create a society that is in truth bias in the name of unbiasness. They go on with the mentality that since the male gender has had a larger share of the cake for long in this modern day and age women should have the larger share of the cake and that in itself contradicts the discussion of equality. I know someone reading might think oh but Osas you are being objective in your argument but I actually am doing my best to be as subjective as possible. I'm stating the obvious problems that exist in the definition of the term (and hey quite frankly it's my essay so yeah I have to express myself)

The solution to this problem thankfully is as obvious as the problem is. The solution to this flaw in feminism is in replacing the equality conversation with the equity conversation. We can do that by first of defining what both terms are 

Equality: the quality or state of being equal, that is of the same measure, quantity, amount, or number as another it is likeness in quality, nature, or status.

Equity: justice according to natural law or right. Not equality according to natural law or right but rather justice according to what is law or right in order words fairness. 

In equality both genders are seen as the same entities where as in eyes of equity both genders are identified as different entities in thesense of differences in their make up and hence they should not be treated as same but rather fairly as it regards to their difference. Gender equity I believe is a far better way to present the issue of fairness among the sexes because it admits to fact that both genders are not the same hence they should not be treated as the same but rather treated fairly. Equity does not ignore the place of responsibility as it is fairness and fairness is getting what is due to you according to your actions or the law.

In Nigeria today equity amongst the genders is what is neededbecause as stated earlier equity is fairness. It does not allow subjugation and oppression however it assigns to each individual responsiblity and duty, reward and punishment. It is the foundation of merit. The popular saying goes all fingers are not equal but I believe the correct way to say that is "ALL FINGERS ARE NOT EQUAL BECAUSE ALL FINGERS DO NOT PERFORM THE SAME FUNCTIONS". Equity I believe brings out the beauty in our diversity, it celebrates our uniqueness and our specialities. It is the pride of our diverseness and the crown to our uniqueness. (look at the inner poet in me).

If equity is fully embraced them both genders would focus on being their best selves and they would try everything possible to attain perfection and the best thing about attain perfection is that in doingone cannot help but be noticed and appreciated. The right and correct combination of understanding, loving and accepting oneself is key to increase in value. I believe that this is what should be chased and sought after. The need to truly understand your place, and be the best in your place in order to serve others and in order to increase your value.

With this dear reader I leave my thought in your hands to either critique, believe, agree, deny, defy or apply them in whatever you soplease.

Good day.. 

ABOUT THE WRITER 

Name: Osaruese Osato-Aghimien

State Code: OS/19B/4052

Institution: University of Benin

Discipline: Library and Information Science