As we celebrate International Women’s Day and as we journey further into International Women’s Month, I find myself reminiscing on my work and personal investments in the Gender and Development space.
Now and again I get asked by a male colleague or two, Why all this noise about women, I have to take a moment to think on my feet so as not to miss the moment and opportunity to educate and advocate, because really “Why all the noise about women empowerment?”. My response is often around the lines of;
“Quite frankly, Women would rather not have the noise”. Indeed, it would be much easier not to engage in endless debate and constant advocacy for matters bordering on our right to our humanity, unfortunately however, (and I always emphasise this), while collectively as womenfolk, we have made some progress with more and more women and girls feeling liberated with some level of choice and autonomy over their lives, we still have some ways to go. In many parts of Nigeria early and forced marriages for girls under 18 years, for instance, remain a pervasive and deeply entrenched cultural practice, with the resultant health effects including Vesico Vagina Fistula (VVF) still prevalent. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is still common and Gender-Based Violence at home and at work remains endemic. Inadequate investments in education infrastructure imply that families in largely rural settings are often faced with the choice of who gets access to basic education, and more often than not, it is the girl child who gets left behind.
In terms of women’s economic participation, it is a now common statistic in Nigeria that while 70% of women in rural areas farm the land, less than 10% own land. A recent article by Business Insider Africa reveals that 40% of businesses in Nigeria are owned by women, with women-led MSMEs contributing significantly to economic growth and job creation. Yet the percentage of women with access to capital remains low, with the total MSME finance gap for women estimated to be valued at $1.7 trillion (OECD.ORG).
Inadequate investments in the healthcare sector also affect women disproportionately, you only need to think about how many babies are said to be born yearly in Nigeria to understand that sexual reproductive health and primary care for mother and child should be a top priority. Currently, with the increasing incidences of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cancer, hypertension, diabetes, etc, the impact on women’s health and development across our lifecycle, results in an increase in women’s morbidity and mortality. The NCD Alliance notes that collectively, NCDs are the leading cause of death for women worldwide. They cause 65% of all female deaths, amounting to 18 million deaths each year.
Women’s Leadership though dramatically better in the private sector (with 25% participation of women in C-Suite positions in the top 25 companies based on their market capitalisation as of 2022), when compared to the dismal numbers in elected political office (at less than 5%), still leaves much to be desired. In terms of the care economy, the burden of family and elder care still falls largely on the shoulders of women with implications for work and career growth. I could go on and on with this line defence.
Circling back to my male colleagues, who had stimulated my right of reply to the question, “Why all the noise about Women Empowerment?”, at this point in my response, I am hoping that it feels less like the alleged noise, but rather reflects more the collective trauma of deep-seated injustice and inequality that some womenfolk feel. And where my Questioners perchance still find my explanations subpar and mere rhetoric, I muster one last attempt at persuasion, relying on the business case for gender equality, with the familiar argument that societies functioning with only half of their potential, flying with half a wing etc. can only go so far if truly interested in nation building.
In reality, the arguments for women’s equity need not be convoluted, they are quite simple. We should empower women first and foremost because it is the morally right thing to do. Women are the harbingers of life and yet at every turn, seem to be doing battle for their own. Secondly, a child born into this world regardless of sex, deserves a fair chance at maximising their experience and fulfilling their potential, if they are empowered with the right investments and enabling environment they would more likely become a success for the good of themselves and the society at large, male or female.
Imagine with me if you will, that every child is given a fair and equal chance regardless of their gender, we would be inching closer to a safer, more secure, prosperous, and stable nation. And in the end, when all is said and done, are these not things that are desirable to us all?
It thus inevitably behooves me to admonish optimistically the dwindling non-converts to the Gender inclusion cause left, as I say to them; Please do look out for me and my womenfolk, as together we will certainly be making a lot of noise this Women’s month in particular, and of course beyond. This is because we are in a battle every day for our survival and existence and because victory is inevitable, we will not stop till the battle is won. Wishing you an impactful IWD and Women’s Month.
Article by: Fabia Ogumekan- A Gender & Development Consultant