By Adnan Abdullahi Adam
On 8th March of each year is the International Women’s day. It is worthy day of celebration, to appreciate the unique role of womanhood. The key significance of the day is to create social awareness about women and girl child, and to assess achievements and problems faced by women globally. The theme of this year is “Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World”. Nigeria among the comity of nations was not left behind for somber reflections on women social standing in the country.
Women deserve all plentitudes of respect and regard as mothers, wives, grandmothers, sisters and daughters. They are key agents of social harmony and stability and without their priceless contribution; the whole society is doomed to fail. Hence, any nation that aspires to be devoid from chaos and disorderliness, women must feel respected and revered in a nook and corner of the society.
It is universally known in this 21centuary, that morality which is central characteristic of human species is ebbing away. Cultural values which were prescribed by traditions and religions are being replaced with new modern way life valuing intense love of material wealth and excessive pleasure. While at receiving end, women sense of dignity is being stripped away with the consequence of lacking their decent position of humanity.
For this reason, authorities and all stakeholders should map out policies back up with real implementation that will guarantee the maximum protection of women and girl child from public indecency and dissipation. Every immoral act that is wrecking havoc on women and girl child in Nigeria today should be met with the wrath of the law, and the offenders must not go scot free.
The abuse o f women and girl child that society is facing is on the high rate. To stem the tide of this social ill, real measures must be taken for women to reclaim her dignity in the society, because as a mother and wife her stability is tied up with the general stability of the society. It is obvious in Nigeria; women are vulnerable exposed to various form of abuses, because they lack adequate social protection.
Women and girl child today, have more than their fair share of victims of domestic violence, kidnappings, sexual exploitations, rape, sexual abuse, drug addiction, poverty, illiteracy, and marginalization and many forms of social vices. They are deprived from their shame and public decency. Being exploited by the sex predators in various companies and industries, women glory position most be restored if society wants stability and peaceful living, because they are backbone of social harmony.
In order to protect women and girl child, some states governors introduced Draconian law of surgical castration or the death sentence for rape offenders, others spelt out maximum 14 years jail term. But it is equally important to trace the root causes of these sexual abuses and to render psychological help for the victims. Massive orientation campaign should be intensified for the general populace to appreciate women as human being deserving sympathy and worthy of respect capable on making right decision in their life.
There must be adequate opportunity for women to participate in public and private affairs. Their inputs in terms of making decision on every policy implementation should be welcomed. They should be encouraged to feel sense of belonging and social participation. Women must not be subjected to gender stereotype as always” weaker sex”, as there are hundreds of women endowed with knowledge and rational thinking.
From the time world is created, woman is playing key role of societal stability till the world ends. She gives birth and provides the basis of education for the child by shaping his world view before his contact with the even larger society. With her immense contribution in building society she influences the world with the type of children she brings forth. Therefore, no society can stand firmly on its feet if women were left neglected without proper counseling about their own paramount duty. A woman is the first school for every child and breeding ground for his better life ahead.
Even in developed countries women are encouraged to get marriage and to raise children in order to stem the tidal wave of shrinking population. In Europe and South America some countries grant incentives for women recognizing their key position as agent of social harmony. They are empowered to give their contribution toward developing society because as caretakers for societal strength or failure. Therefore, no nation can develop in the absence of women’s unrivaled contribution.
We often heard if you educate a female child you educate the whole society. It is scientifically proved, that mother has more character influence on the child more than the father. Her character and emotion play vital role on the child’s development. To this reason, woman must be trained with the right attitude and character in order to serve for her children an exemplary role model. Many social ills that are deeply entrenched our society today can be drastically mitigated if woman is well-equipped with knowledge and sound character.
For a woman to succeed, Beauty is not enough. It may take her into some level- probably illegitimate, but it may not sustain her beyond few couple of years. Women must be contented with their look by thanking Almighty which has conferred it upon them, and they should not try at any cost to look like what media portrays as perfect ideal of beauty which is even in reality is not unachievable. Young women should feel self-esteem and self-confidence with their God-given skin color and body shape.
As there many aspects in life to develop and be successful, women should not get too obsessive with their looks. Beauty is a relative to the time and place it finds its way. Shakespeare says, ” Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder”. Young ladies should work hard and find out their talent to fulfill their dream in life of becoming what they want not just to rely on their beauty.
Projecting woman as object only capable of selling her beauty and glamour is reprehensible. Women should not feel the same way by posting their beautiful picture on social media platforms. Experts express the causes of incessant rape cases as the way media is portraying women as just sex object of certifying man’s sexual desire. Companies and industries capitalized on women as only critical selling point of their goods and services.
Society must crumble if women will be denigrated to such awful condition. Sanctity of marriage institutions will be the thing of the past, and there is no future for the generation to come. Women should appreciate their irreplaceable role and to cherish their God-endowed biological nature. Lastly, Man and woman must work harmoniously in this life in order to complete the cause of nature and to make the world a better place. “All men and women are created equal”.
Adnan Abdullahi Adam is a Public Affairs Analyst.
