In accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America, the first National Woman’s Day (NWD) was observed across the United States on 28 February,1909.
In 1910, a second International Conference of Working Women was held in Copenhagen. A woman named a Clara Zetkin (Leader of the ‘Women’s Office’ for the Social Democratic Party in Germany) tabled the idea of an International Women’s Day. She proposed that every year, in every country, there should be a celebration on the same day - a Women’s Day - to press for their demands. The conference of over 100 women from 17 countries, representing unions, socialist parties, working women’s clubs, and including the first three women elected to the Finnish parliament, greeted Zetkin’s suggestion with unanimous approval and thus International Women’s Day was the result.
Since its birth in the socialist movement, International Women’s Day has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration across developed and developing countries alike. For many years the United Nations has held an annual IWD conference to coordinate international efforts for women’s rights and participation in social, political and economic processes.
IWD is now an official holiday in the countries of the world. The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts.
The new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women’s and society’s thoughts about women’s equality and emancipation. With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women’s visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality. The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women’s education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men.
However, great improvements have been made. We do have female astronauts, prime ministers, deputy governors, legislators, vice chancellors, school girls are welcomed into university, women can work and have a family, women have real choices. And so the tone and nature of IWD has, for the past few years, moved from being a reminder about the negatives to a celebration of the positives.
In pursuing the goals for making the day a success, this year’s theme is The Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum.
As Nigeria has not been existing in a vacuum since the declaration by the UN that this day be dedicated to celebrating womanhood Her Say asked a cross section of women the effect the past celebrations have had on the average Nigerian woman. Excerpts:
Funso Adegbola, Lawyer/educationist: In Nigeria, it hasn’t really affected the average woman o. It is the elites and professional women that celebrate their success. The average Nigerian woman doesn’t even know about Women’s Day. I urge Nigerian professional women to do more enlightenment about women’s rights and lay women’s issues on the front burner, There are more reported cases of rape especially on the girl-child and also domestic violence against women. All women and professional groups must insist that women’s rights are fundamental human rights. More awareness should be made on radio, television and all media in Nigeria, this way, a woman would know her rights and respond. We should also celebrate the average Nigerian women not just women in government for instance, the pepper seller who educated all her children to become good and responsible citizens.
Biola Agbaje; Chairman, Nigeria Society for the Blind: As we mark another International Women’s Day, we need to assess any progress made by Nigerian women in line with what obtains globally. It has made it possible to see in a blink, the strides women have made in other parts of the world. While not belittling what has been achieved in our dear country, there is so much to be done, especially in eliminating violence of all forms against women and children. These challenges demand innovative thinking because I believe gender barriers can always be overcome if people welcome change
Funmi Falana, Lawyer/human rights crusader: This year’s theme for International Women’s Day celebration is The Gender Agenda; Gaining Momentum! Unfortunately, little progress has been made in the area of equal rights and treatment for men and women. An average Nigerian woman is still highly marginalised in public offices and decision making. Violence against women both in public and home settings have continued to increase. Let us use the opportunity of today’s celebration to advocate equal rights and equal treatment for women. Women were not created in a lesser image of God. The girl-child is as important as the boy-child in the home. Violence against women is a crime.
Prof Adenike Osofisan: It is a good step made because it has drawn the attention of the world to women, as we now have a female Chief Justice of Nigeria and more women at both the national and state assemblies as well as other political offices. But we are yet to have a female governor, and this says a lot about the wife of our president who is trying her best to carry women along in politics. But as women, we should try to make the best use of whatever position or situation we find ourselves in. We are not there yet, but we would get there.
Pastor Dolapo Adelakun: It is good to celebrate and set apart a day for women, but it would be better if it had a stronger impact on women enlightenment and financial liberation. I doubt if the average Nigerian woman is aware of any international day. Thank God for the motive and concept, but the impact on the Nigerian woman should be translated into progressive laws protecting women and the girl-child. The domestic rape incidences are alarming because there are no dynamic laws to check such atrocities. The traditional marriage institution has a lot of draconic unwritten laws that subject women into modern slavery. The widow’s right is not enforced as it should be. Bigamy and incest are crimes that are wiped under the carpet. The Nigerian woman needs more than a celebration. We need laws that make and treat us as humans. Greater days are ahead and we should keep pushing on until we see a glorious future for the Nigerian Woman.
Tomi Olatunji, Acting Registrar, The Polytechnic, Ibadan: To me, the annual celebration in this part of the world has not made much impact because it appears the day’s celebration is too elitist in nature. Not much is known about this celebration by the target audience. It has always been targeted at the elites. If indeed the day is meant to celebrate women achievers, then we women who had the opportunity of being educated are the least qualified. I believe a petty trader or pepper seller who has invested heavily on the training of her children deserves more mentioning and celebrating. Do you think a hungry woman on the street cares about the fact that a date has been set aside for her gender in Nigeria of today? I think the government at all levels and the human rights crusaders should do more in the area of correcting the imbalance that has existed for so long when considering women for appointments.
Hauwa Audu: Stockbroker,The plight of an average Nigerian woman is yet to be addressed, as it appears that women have been overloaded with responsibilities. Should we even say by nature? In all spheres, women have been marginalised while the celebration has made little or no impact on women. What needs to be done at all levels of governance is for policy makers to come up with policies that would favour the empowerment of women, irrespective of their level of education. I wish the wives of governors, local government chairmen and other female politicians would ensure that their positive influence on their partners are brought to bear on governance as they alleviate the burden of women even at home as housewives. Women are naturally human beings born to rule and reign.
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that focuses on promoting gender equality, the Alliance for Africa (AfA) in its advocacy, has charged other state governments in the country to emulate and replicate the law on gender-based violence and domestic violence as passed by Lagos, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Cross River and Ekiti states.
According to a press statement released by AfA executive director, Iheoma Obibi, in commemoration of this year’s event, the organisation said it would continue to fight against discrimination, oppresive practices and violence against women in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
“The rise in the number of reported cases of violence against women in Nigeria calls for a greater proactive approach by all stakeholders in the fight to end gender-based violence, such as domestic violence, rape, murder, forced marriages, female genital mutilation, among others.
“It is, therefore, government take this issue seriously, by passing the law on gender-based violence so that women can be adequately protected by law”, the statement read.
Culled from Nigerian Tribune
Salute to all the great women out there
