Sober reflections as Nigeria marks Women’s Day

With the recent spate of violence in the country, many women have lost their  lives and are still losing their lives, many were raped and became widows, lost their children, loved ones, homes and properties and many more have become displaced , living in squalid conditions and are still facing violence and conflict situations.Women and […]

With the recent spate of violence in the country, many women have lost their  lives and are still losing their lives, many were raped and became widows, lost their children, loved ones, homes and properties and many more have become displaced , living in squalid conditions and are still facing violence and conflict situations.
Women and children continue to be victims of violence in conflict situations, rape and domestic violence particularly in the North East.
According to the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina this year’s day is marked with a deep sense of sorrow, “as we continue to witness the gruesome murder of our sisters and  children in Borno and Yobe states and Nigerian women condemn in all its totality the killing of these innocent women and children by insurgents.”
She said women’s hearts are bleeding as mothers and sisters and cannot comprehend such acts of wickedness being meted out on the most vulnerable in our society saying, “It is in cognizance  of the precarious situation and suffering of our sisters as widows and children in these states that we have decided that the 2014 International Women’s Day will be low key,” she said.  
The minister said the occasion is being used by women in the country to mourn the needless killing of women and children especially in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, and urged all Nigerians to constructively contribute in bringing the unhealthy situation to an end, even as we continue to pray for a peaceful Nigeria.
She also called on the Constitution Review team to enshrine Affirmative Action for Women in Nigeria’s constitution, saying women will like to see a situation where gender is used as a consideration in deciding equitable distribution of opportunities  in Nigeria as is the case with geo-political standing and religions.
In a related development,  the Justice for All Programme in Nigeria (a partnership between the Nigerian government  and DFID)  in collaboration with the Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP) (a five year DFID programme being managed by the British Council)  held a seminar to commemorate the day with the theme “Women peace and security: The Missing MDG.”
Women & Girls Manager of NSRP, Eleanor Nwadinobi said this raises the  question of how one can work towards the Millennium Development Goals when there is no peace, adding “the people who will participate in development have to be alive that is why we are highlighting women peace and security by bringing all stakeholders together to mark this day.”
The Executive Director , Gender Equality, Peace and Development Centre (GEPaDC) and lecturer in the University of Maiduguri, Prof Patricia Donli, in her presentation on women in conflict situation in Nigeria said while entire communities suffer the consequences of armed conflicts and terrorism, women and girls are particularly affected because of their status and sex. They are subjected to unbelievable horrible atrocities during armed conflicts – rapes, sexual abuses including abduction and sexual slavery, forced marriage and mutilations.
She said the North East and North Central zones are the worst hit by violent conflicts in recent time. “Many communities have been razed and there has been reports that since the beginning of the year 2014 more than 300 persons have been killed including women and children – Benisheik, Konduga, Bama, Ngomari, Kawuri, Malari, Madagali, Shuwa, Michika, Izge, Mai Nok, Mafa, Jakana, Mamudo, Buni Yadi (NE Nigeria); Shonong, Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Agatu, and Makurdi,” she said.
Donli said the reason women are targeted include; Women are often unaccompanied during times of armed conflict when their male relatives (who ordinarily comprise part of the social network of protection) have fled the area, are detained, missing or engaged in hostilities.
Others include; Women are usually unarmed, which reduces their ability to resist, when the actual combatants are out of reach, sexual violence is a way of attacking the community of the “enemy”, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
Also in many cultures, women are viewed as symbolic representatives of the community or nation. Hence an attack against women is seen as an assault on the entire community to which she belongs..
She said the country cannot afford not to do something while people including women and children are dying on a daily basis and not doing anything is the greatest tragedy.
On enhancing women participation in peace building and security process, Executive Director of Civil society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani said the Post-2015 MDGs Agenda should recognize the inclusion of women in peace building and security.” A country’s human right standard must directly reflect in physical, economic and legal security,” he said.
While the Secretary General Women Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) Mrs Saudatu Mahdi said there should be stringent punishment for perpetrators of violence against women and girls.
To inspire change in women, peace and security through justice sector reform initiatives, there was an award ceremony for achievers to mark this year’s day.
Component Manager, Justice for All, Godwin Odo said in pursuit of ensuring equal access to justice to safety, security and justice for women,  the organization identified women and institutions across the country who have distinguished themselves in the integration and protection of women rights.
The four recipients include; the Dutse Emirate Council, Commissioner of Police, Niger State, Mrs Diseye Nsirim, Barrister Juliet Ibekaku, and Barrister Itoro Eze-Ananba.
He said the Dutse Emirate Council has entrenched a new system where the wives of traditional rulers have a key role to play and it is easier for women to access justice, report cases involving their spouses.
In commemorating this year’s day, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said equality for women is progress for all.  
Her speech was read by the UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dr Grace Ongile.
She said as we celebrate International Women’s Day, we remember and celebrate the women who, led by women in trade unions on this day more than a century ago, called for better working conditions, peace and bread. Their call is still valid today.
Mlambo-Ngcuka said no country in the world has achieved equality between women and men and girls and boys, and violations of the rights of women and girls are an outrage. “So let us build on the lessons learned and the knowledge that equality for women is progress for all, and make greater and bolder progress as we work to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and chart a new post-2015 development agenda.
“We can no longer afford to hold back half the world’s population. The 21st Century has to be different for every woman and girl in the world. She must know that to be born a girl is not the start of a life of hardship and disadvantage.”
She said together we must make sure that:
SHE is Safe and Secure from gender-based violence.
SHE has Human rights that are respected, including reproductive rights.
SHE is Empowered economically and in every way through Education, Equal opportunity, participation and leadership.
This is the SHE Imperative to which I call on you to commit.
Let us all cross the line and stand on the right side of history.