Nigerian women are taking a stand and demanding a better future. It's time for change. It's essential we challenge the status quo and create a brighter future for ourselves and our communities. Nigerian women face numerous challenges, including violence. Let's put our foot down and say no to violence. Our maternal mortality rate is sky-high, and women are dying during childbirth due to poor healthcare. It's crucial we demand better healthcare services.
Women are severely underrepresented in Nigerian politics. To make matters worse, they face numerous obstacles, including sexual harassment and stereotypes. It's vital we acknowledge and challenge these biases, promoting women's full and effective participation in decision-making processes. As Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman elected to Congress, once said, "When they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair." Let's take a cue from her words and ensure our voices are heard.
The general assumption that attributes successful women's accomplishments to men is unacceptable and demeaning. The notion that successful women must have "slept their way to the top" is hurtful and false. Many women have achieved success through hard work and consistency. Their achievements are well-deserved and not handed to them on a silver platter.
I recall a heartbreaking incident where an uneducated woman accidentally gave her toddler methylated spirit instead of paracetamol syrup, resulting in the child's death. This tragedy highlights the importance of education.
The alarming rate of child beggars (almajiri) in the north is another pressing concern. Women with limited financial resources or no source of livelihood often struggle to care for their children, leading to social issues and crime. However, I firmly believe that empowering mothers can break this cycle. Educated women will prioritize their children's well-being and education.
During a visit to Lafia, Nassarawa State six years ago, I witnessed almajiri boys begging for food at a street food stall. They stared at my food, took it, and ran away. Locals told me this is a norm in the north. These children are vulnerable, and their mothers are often uneducated and impoverished. Empowering these women can help them provide for their children and break the cycle of poverty.
Menstrual products should be affordable for girls. It's distressing to hear that some girls miss school due to unaffordable sanitary pads, resorting to using paper instead. We urge the Nigerian government to make sanitary pads affordable for low-income families. Reusable pads are a sustainable alternative and can be made using thread and needle. No girl deserves to miss classes because they can't afford sanitary pads.
This realization inspired me to start a movement to amplify the voices of women and girls. They deserve to be heard and educated. Empowering women has a profound impact on their children, who benefit greatly from their mother's upliftment. Women are nurturing and will go the extra mile to ensure their children receive an education and become productive members of society.
Let's join forces to uplift the voices of women and girls, accelerate action to empower women, advocate for education, and create a brighter future for Nigerian women and girls. Together, we can create a more just and equitable society for all.
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Hafsat Yetunde Jatto
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