Why feminism is needed in Nigeria

On entering the university, my interest in it was awakened, but in a different twist and from a more interesting perspective. I noticed that the women themselves were very passive and acted like they were marginalized by themselves. In class, extra-curricular and political activities, and in fact general school activities, the females did not want […]

On entering the university, my interest in it was awakened, but in a different twist and from a more interesting perspective.
I noticed that the women themselves were very passive and acted like they were marginalized by themselves. In class, extra-curricular and political activities, and in fact general school activities, the females did not want to participate to the extent that the school authorities had to give incentives for female participation, a semblance of the women empowerment programme at the national level.
One rule that I particularly disagreed with was the rule that for every four of each faculty representative, one must be a female. I disliked this rule because it did not give everyone an equal opportunity. A female must be there whether or not she wants it or even merits it. I learnt that before this law, no female had ever occupied the post and despite that, they still had to beg them before they volunteered to occupy the post; one which is supposed to be political. I became more confused and decided to do more research on feminism. My findings were very revealing and quite shocking.
However, does feminism have a stand in Nigeria? If it does, what is its stand for? Does feminism translate to ‘anti-men’, or is it an anomaly to our African institutions? Are women being marginalized or are they real anti-feminists? Is feminism really needed in Nigeria?
I do not have the answers to all these questions, and I probably will never have them because many of the answers are very opinionated. But what I do know for sure is that feminism is not an anti-men concept neither is it an anomaly in our African institutions.
Feminism is indeed required in Nigeria because young girls and women cannot walk on the streets anytime without the fear of being victims of sexual abuse by men. Feminism is needed because some men just blatantly refuse their wives to work without any concrete reason and against her choice. Feminism is needed when a terrorist group can abduct over 200 girls and appear to be getting away with it. Feminism is needed when a man commits rape and the court discharges and acquits the rapist and convicts the victim for indecent dressing.
However, the feminism needed in Nigeria is that which allows every person irrespective of gender to reach their potential. The one in which women are not looked down upon or made to feel lesser because of their status as women in the work place, at home or generally in the society.
This is therefore why everyone should be a feminist, women and men inclusive, if not for the love of themselves but for that of their daughters, sisters, wives and mothers.

Hawau Abikan is a 200 level student of Law, University of Ilorin