Women
The Plight Of The Girl- Child (1)
Participants at a workshop on gender based violence organised by United Nations Women in Conjunction with Unicef in Gombe on Wednesday
For a person to be
termed a woman, she must have been a girl. Gender discrimination therefore is not restricted by age. It starts the very day the girl child is delivered. Thus, from birth, she suffers condemnation, neglect and disdain. This is enhanced as she grows into a woman.
The girl-child is taught to accept the role of the woman primarily as wife and mother and to fullfil certain economic needs prematurely, whereas from boyhood, the males are already taught to assume the dominant role.
From birth, the girl-child is stigmatized. In some homes today, if a girl child is born, the father of the child becomes unhappy and sometimes puts the wife away for not being able to bear him a male child, or marries a second wife for that reason.
A child was born and the friend of the man visited the family and demanded that the good news be celebrated, on the contrary, the father of the child retorted by saying, “there is nothing to celebrate, its another mistake.” This is the extent to which the girl child has been looked at as a second class citizen.
Following the above, the girl child who is seen as a second class citizen is relegated to carry out household chores and eventually given out in marriage so as to get the bride price to train the boy child in school.
The girl child who is domineered by the society of men in all her endeavours faces more serious violation. For instance, female genital mutilation which is practised as a way of ensuring that women are not promiscuous, is very harmful to the reproductive health.
Male circumcision is an acceptable practice worldwide for religious and aesthetic reasons. On the contrary, female circumcision is harmful to woman’s reproductive health, and it implies the mutilation of the female genital for ulterior motives i.e. to forestall erotic sensation in order to preserve virginity and chastity.
Thus, women are quasi castrated for men’s purposes and this is against human rights. At this point, I would like to say that who ever wants to get spoilt will get spoilt and who ever wants to be good will be good, parents who are practising this should stop.
Women circumcision is a harmful practice which hampers their reproductive rights and as such is repugnant.
The effect of female genital mutilation is encompassing. The girl child suffers pronounced physical disabilities and even psychological trauma. It has been noted that quite often, primitive steps have been taken to gain success in this act which requires the use of unsterilized tools which cause HIV/AIDS infection.
This experience does not only cause pains, it introduces shock, hemorrhage, injury to adjacent organs and could also cause death.
Furthermore, female genital mutilation causes painful and prolonged menstrual flow thereby increasing the incidence of anaemia. It could also cause painful coitus i.e painful sexual intercourse.
Considering the effect of genital mutilation, it could be quickly reached and truely too, that such practice is not only harmful but, it is repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience.
Although, it has been assumed that the reason for genital mutilation is that if the clitoris is cut off, it will reduce the sex drive in women, thus cutting down on prostitution. But following recent research, it has been proved that the clitoris is usually chopped off during circumcision.
Female genital mutilation has no relationship with female sexual drive. Thus, the practice of female genital mutilation infringes on the rights and dignity of the woman or girl child which ought to be protected.
The collective effect of the municipal and international conventions is that such acts that are tagged harmful practices should be prohibited and females should be protected from those degrading inhuman practices. A practice that renders the girl child entirely hopeless and useless. It’s effect introduces incessant bad odour, depletion of self image and the effect of inward analytical disturbances, one that affects her psyche. Something she has to live with in her entire life time.
Another instance is early marriage. Child marriage is a bane in the Muslim North. Very young girls are in effect forced into assuming the monumental responsibilities of wife and mother prematurely.
The aftermath of such brazen sexual violation is the incidence of Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF) as well as Recto-Vaginal Fistula (RVF) among young girls aged between twelve and fourteen years. These victims are often abandoned by their husbands who end up procuring more child brides.
Their young girls are culturally viewed primarily as sex-objects to be controlled and dominated by their husbands and any attempt at rebelling could be fatal.
A child has no capacity to enter into marriage contracts. It therefore follows that it is unlawful for a child to have sexual intercourse.
The issue of marriageable age has not been settled. Both municipal and international conventions have not placed an acceptable age for marriage. For this reason, different states have different marriageable age.
Despite the unsettled age limits, recourse would be given to the condemnation of the act of having carnal knowledge of girls below 13 years by men.
If carnal knowledge with a girl below 13 years amount to an offence under the Act, it follows that a marriage to such a person within such age bracket should be prohibited. It is unlawful.
Owing to the duty of the law, it is the duty of the fathers to protect that child from any act that diminishes her dignity.
A duty is imposed on the head of the family to provide necessities to a child who is under 14 years and a member of the household, and he is held to have caused any consequences which result to the life or health of the other person by reason of any omission to perform that duty.
Since the girl-child is regarded as a second class citizen, she is given out as a housemaid at a settled price which in turn is used to train the male child who is given a preferential treatment at the expense of the girl child.
The girl-child as a housemaid in a strange household is on a frolic of her own. She is not given any assistance, neither is she cared for. All her ‘Oga’ and ‘Madam’ want is that she does whatever she is asked to do.
This is an infringement on the right of the girl child. By the universal declaration of Human Rights, childhood is entitled to special care and assistance.
The housemaid, who is always given buckets which are bigger than her to fetch water from a place very far from the house, does not have the opportunity to be happy, loved or protected.
Most housemaids die untimely of accidents, maltreatment from those they serve etc, which also infringes on their inherent right to life.
Also, the kind of work she does deters her growth not minding the provision that “state parties should ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child”.
At other times, the child is forced out of her parents house against her will and is taken to a town very far from the one she hails from to be maltreated, thus unlawfully separating her from her parents.
Moreso, nobody gives a growing girl child who is given out as a maid the opportunity to form her views, let alone expressing those views freely in all matters affecting her as a child.
Again, as a housemaid, the girl child is not entitled to privacy and is sometimes exposed to unlawful attacks on her reputation and honour, since she could be accused of stealing or other like acts.
The giving out of the girl child as a housemaid contravenes the provision of Article 18 of the Rights of the child. It stipulates that state parties shall use their best efforts to ensure recognition of the principle, that both parents have common responsibilities for the upbringing and development of the child. The best interests of the child will be their basic concern.
Furthermore, the house-maids are exposed to physically and mental violence. Sometimes, the man of the house rapes them, and at other times anybody could abuse them sexually thereby destroying them emotionally and psychological for the rest of their lives.
To be contd.
Aniekan is an intern with The Tide.
Patience Aniekan
Looking good is some women’s business. Looking beautiful for some persons is more important than food. Some prefer to appear trendy instead of attending to household pressure.
Beauty they say is in the eye of the beholder. Every woman by creature is beautiful but some persons feel that the way they were created is not enough. They feel that perhaps the creator should have added more features to their physic.
Artificial beauty did not start today, it has been there as far as man exists. From time to time, there has been one form of additional make-up or the other that women especially, must add to their natural look.
When you look at some of our elders, especially women, you notice certain drills or symbols (tattoo) on their skins, mostly on their hands and legs, in form of designs with dark prints. That is a form of artificial beauty. These days, some young ones still use such to beautify themselves.
It is not only women that are involved in artificial beauty, some young men also have likeness for it. It is common nowadays to see younger male folks spend money to pierce their ears to wear earrings. They also style their hairs in various forms to appear like women so as to look more handsome. This no doubt costs them more money than being in their natural look.
Every generation grows with it’s own new systems, items, styles of artificial beauty. Before now, African women generally and Nigeria in particular had their hair in natural form.
As civilisation and westernisation continued, Nigerian women started copying, for instance, perming of their hair to look like the White women. They started using western-produced chemicals (relaxers) to make their hairs look sleepy and smoother.
Nigerian women used to plate their hair with black thread or go with their hair well cut at low level. In terms of weaving, it was without attachment. The issue of women weaving hair with attachment came with civilisation. That is also a form of make-up.
The quest for extra beauty aside the way women were created has been from one generation to another.
Two or three decades ago, ladies used mascaras to darken and thicken their eyelashes. But in this 21st century, another system has evolved. Fixing of artificial eyelashes has become the order of the day.
In that case, it becomes difficult for them to scratch their eyes Incase of any itches. Some of their eyes turn reddish because of the touch.
There was a lady who was fixing her eyelashes in a salon, unfortunately, she got a phone call that her mother was late, as she started crying, it was difficult for her to clean the tears that were flowing down her cheeks.
The reason was for fear of the eye lashes falling off while cleaning the tears off her eyes.
One funny thing about fixing of artificial eyelashes is that some persons cannot close their eyes properly. The beauty they have in mind before fixing is not really achieved as their look become something anybody cannot behold. Both the shape of their eyes and facial outlook automatically change. One begins to wonder if that is the beauty they are looking for. Instead of looking beautiful, the reverse becomes the case.
As years go by, artificial beauty becomes more sophisticated in the society. The price and cost for looking more beautiful than women were created naturally becomes higher than their natural look.
The cosmetic industry becomes one of the most viable industries worldwide because some women desire artificial beauty. Some engage in cosmetic surgery to alter any part of their body which does not give them pleasure especially the fatty parts. Some go for surgery to make their slacked breasts to return to their original shapes as well as those with big tummies.
It is interesting to note that currently, Nigerian ladies have started to give preference to their natural hair and this is attracting a lot of admiration for them. Many prefer that natural look with low cuts. With that, the cost of maintaining the hair by ladies is reduced.
I think this is commendable as it will save the women from the negative effect of chemical used in manufacturing hair relaxers.
It is also common to see ladies on low cut hairs that are either light complexion, red and other funny colours.
People have been addicted to artificial beauty to the extent that they insert certain substances into their bodies to make them become more robust and attractive to their admirers.
I don’t understand why we should be crazy about adding more to our natural look. Every woman wants to look attractive in a packaged manner without recognising the implications of artificial beauty and make-up.
In fact, women’s quest for beauty has taken different dimension as they tend to appear trendy at home, in offices and as they go about their businesses. That is just to feel belonged and achieve self-esteem.
I recall a few years back, my pastor who trained as an Engineer advised women against the use of lipstick. He said that one of the chemical components of lipstick is lead and that it is dangerous to humans. Many women may not understand the reality of what he said until it manifests.
I think those who are naturally beautiful should not go for artificial make-ups. They should be satisfied with the work of their creator. Women should not continue to paint their faces to look like masquerades and should not lose value due to artificial beauty.
It may interest you to know that persons who apply make-ups excessively are mocked instead of being admired. Make-ups can be applied lightly.
Fixing of nails is another business. After fixing nails, some women find it difficult to perform house cores. Washing their personal belongings becomes a problem. The artificial nails become so long and sophisticated to the extent that the bearer cannot handle objects properly. Those in that habit also find it difficult to eat food with the fingers.
There are people who feel they should have been born in certain colour but when the reverse is the case, they seek artificial make-up. Use of skin-toning cream and soap becomes the option for artificial beauty. This happens to the extent that the users start having dark spots on the skin. Blisters occur on their faces and legs.
Unfortunately, this is an era when there are different kinds of cancer affecting women especially. It becomes difficult to identify the kind of make-up that can be cancerous.
It is high time people had stopped following trend to the detriment of their health.
Ladies should not present themselves as laughing stock with unnecessary make-up as they can still be cherished in their natural outlook.
Eunice Choko – Kayode
Yearly, the girls are celebrated not just because they are girls, but because of their importance to families, society and the nation at large.
You will agree that when the girl-child comes into a family first, that family is blessed. The assistance she renders to the family can not be compared to that of the opposite sex.
The job she does in the home cuts across many duties. In the home, she takes care of her younger ones. She assists her mother in carrying out house chores. After her educational career and she obtains a job, she caters for her family even as she is married out. She takes care of her aged parents in her matrimonial home.
This same girl-child when given the right training and opportunities, will also train her offspring. Thus, “train a woman and you train a nation”. When women are at the helms of affairs, things are done better.
Celebrating the girl-child yearly is a call to parents, families, faith-based organisations, non-governmental organisations, governments at all levels, and all relevant organisations that have one or two things to do with the girls to continue to put in place policies that will enhance their well-being.
On a daily basis, the girl-child faces more challenges. Sometimes, she finds it difficult to resist dangers. The issue of rape, violence of any form, sexual harassment, intimidation, discrimination in families about who should go to school or not.
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Rivers State chapter, called on the government, the state and local assembly to enact laws that criminalise any act capable of impeding the education of the girl-child.
The association made the call as it joined the world to commemorate the International Day of the Girl-Child, in Port Harcourt, Friday.
NAWOJ also appealed to ministry of education and other relevant authorities to prevail against hawking during school hours, as well as call for an end to early girl-child marriage.
The state chairperson of the association, Susan Serekara-Nwikhana, who spoke in an interview with the press said: “We are calling on the Rivers State government, the Rivers State House of Assembly and the Local Assembly to enact laws that criminalise any act capable of impeding on the education of the girl child.
“We also want the government to throw her weight against any girl-child found hawking on the streets during school hours as this will serve as deterrent to any parent or ward that is nursing such idea.
“There is need for every girl-child to be properly educated as this impact generally on the society positively.”
Speaking on the 2024 theme which is, “Girls’ Vision For The Future”, NAWOJ chair stressed the need for parents to prioritise the education of their daughters.
She explained that quality education was key to an assured future for every girl-child, stressing that education unlocks doors of possibilities and the I-can spirit.
Her words: “Remember, you put an end to blind submission when you train the girl-child. Today, many girl-children have been abandoned and are left to pass through harrowing conditions that they never dreamt of due to lack of education.
“Do you know that the girl child suffer most as she is confronted with lots of challenges from the day she was born into a home; siblings rivalry on who should go to school and who should not, a decision that most parents take that negatively impedes on the girl-child and to the day she steps into her husband’s house, especially with a wicked mother-in-law or father-in-law.”
She noted that only those female children privileged to acquire quality education can surmount the challenges that confront them on their way to greatness.
“As we all know that the role of every woman in the society cannot be over-emphasised as such without education given to the gild-child, the society will raise dysfunctional women, who are abused, used and abandoned”, she emphasised.
The NAWOJ chair insisted: “When the girl-child is exposed to education, you have given her opportunity to endless possibilities, thereby putting an end to subjugation and blind subservient”.
As Rivers State joins the rest of the world to mark the 2024 International Day of the Girl-Child, a non-profit organisation, Multi Stakeholders Committee for the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence in Rivers State has called for policies to protect the girl- child against gender-based violence.
It also urged for massive investment in the development of the girl-child.
The group said this in a statement to mark the day.
According to the statement signed by the coordinator of the group, who is also the Head of the Public Defender, Rivers State, Evelyn Membere Asimiea, time has come for the society to stand together and ensure that no girl is left behind.
She also said the celebration which has as its theme, “Girls, Vision For The Future”, is a call to action not just to acknowledge the challenges girls face but to actively empower them.
According to the statement, as we join the global community to celebrate the International Day of the Girl-Child, we are reminded of the powerful potential of every girl and the urgent need to invest in their rights. This year’s theme, “Girls: Vision For The Future,” calls us to action not just to acknowledge the challenges girls face but to actively empower them as leaders of tomorrow.
Mrs Asimiea said time has come for stakeholders including government, civil society organisations, families and individuals to stand together and ensure that no girl is left behind.
“As Coordinator of the Multi-Stakeholders Committee for the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence and Head of the Office of the Public Defender, Rivers State, I wish to highlight that our girls are at the heart of building strong, safe, and prosperous communities. Yet, they are often the most vulnerable to violence, discrimination, and neglect. It is time for all of us—government, civil society, families, and individuals—to stand together and ensure that no girl is left behind”, the statement said.
She also called for massive investment in the girl- child, adding: “Investing in girls means ensuring they have access to quality education, healthcare, and equal opportunities.
“It means protecting them from all forms of gender-based violence (GBV), child marriage, and harmful traditional practices.
“When we invest in the safety, education, and empowerment of girls, we are investing in the future of our state and nation.”
It reiterated its commitment to continue to advocate for the right of the girl child, stressing that the group is working tirelessly to advocate for the rights of girls and the women.
“We are working tirelessly to advocate for the rights of girls and women, providing legal support to survivors of GBV, and pushing for stronger policies to prevent violence and protect their futures.
“But we cannot do it alone. We need every family, every community leader, and every citizen to take responsibility for the well-being of our girls.
“On this day, I urge you all to commit to creating a world where every girl feels safe, valued, and empowered to lead. Together, we can build a Rivers State where girls’ rights are protected, and their leadership flourishes, for the future of all of us”, the coordinator said.
As we mark this year’s girl-child day, women groups all over the world should as a matter of fact, continue to create awareness on the need to develop them in the right way so that they can showcase their potentials.
Eunice Choko-Kayode
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