Connect with us

Women

Child Marriage, FGM: Need For Strong Partnerships, Bold Actions

Published

on

On the margins of the 63rd session of the Commission on the Status of Women, a high-level side event on “Accelerating the elimination of harmful practices to reap the demographic dividend in Africa” convened Member States, civil society, youth and development partners to discuss decisive measures to eliminate child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM) across the continent.
Often seen as traditional and cultural practices, female genital mutilation, and child, early and forced marriages are persisting human rights issues that affect women and girls in every region of the world. One in every five girls is married before reaching age 18, and more than 200 million women and girls alive today have been cut in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, where FGM is most common. According to recent UNFPA data, as many as 68 million girls globally may be at risk of FGM by 2030.
United Nation Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka stressed joint programming and the need to address poverty and bolster women’s economic empowerment. UN Women has worked with UNFPA and UNICEF to develop policy guidance and a training module on gender equality and female genital mutilation, which can be used by development practitioners working toward eliminating FGM in places where it’s most prevalent.
UN Women is also partnering with UNICEF and UNFPA in the second phase of the Global Programme to Accelerate Action to End Child Marriage.
According to Mlambo-Ngeuka, “Our particular interest is to support women’s economic empowerment so that parents don’t marry off children because they think that it means economic security for them; we can find ways of making them sufficiently economically empowered that they do not have to depend on this.”
The EU-UN Spotlight Initiative, a multi-year partnership between the European Union and the United Nations, which focuses on ending harmful practices and promoting sexual and reproductive health in its programming in Africa, is another promising initiative that’s strengthening the collaboration among relevant actors, including national governments.
“We see this as a human rights issue, but also as an economic issue,” said Darren Welch, Director of Policy of the Department for International Development of the United Kingdom. At the individual level, child marriage leads to girls dropping out of school and in one study, early marriage was estimated to lead to the drop of nine per cent of lifetime earnings, something that economies cannot afford.”
Jaha Dukureh, UN Women Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Africa and a survivor-activist, supports UN Women’s advocacy to end FGM and child marriage in Africa, with a special focus on mobilizing youth. She pointed out that when it comes to ending FGM and child marriage, the people that sit at the table to discuss these issues are usually not young and have not been through the ordeal.
Dukureh said “They are talking about us and for us, and we become a footnote in their research.But I think we have changed that in the last five years,” “The only way we are going to achieve change is by allowing young people [to engage and participate], especially within the continent of Africa. It is about how we elevate their voices and not suppress them. All we are asking for is to be given a seat at the table, and not just because we are young so that you can check that box, but because you believe that we can make a difference.”
In an effort to accelerate progress, the Big Sisters Movement under the NGO Safe Hands for Girls, founded by Dukureh, is organizing an African Leadership Summit on Female Genital Mutilation and Child Marriage, in Dakar, Senegal planned for later this year. The Summit, first of its kind, aims to mobilize a powerful and broad alliance of African Heads of State, civil society leaders, youth, religious and customary leaders, media and other influencers to take bold and decisive actions to ban FGM and dedicate specific budget allocations to implement existing laws and policies.
Petrider Paul, member of the African Union Youth Advisory Council, also stressed the importance of engaging youth in efforts to change behaviours. “It is a pity we do not invest in young people in a more sustainable way,” “These are the future parents, the future government leaders, these are the future fathers. If young people [are] able to change the mindset of [other] young people and be the voice for the voiceless, it’s something that can…end child marriage and FGM.”
UNFPA’s Executive Director, Dr. Natalia Kanem, highlighting the importance of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, education and information that is age-appropriate and in a language that girls can understand. This information needs to reach not just girls, but their brothers, fathers and their communities.
“Girls have to be given a voice to claim these rights.”. “That girl who is running for her life from FGM is my hero. Girls who are defending their sisters against the practice – my hat’s off to them.
Making sure that youth are leading the way forward is at the heart of UN Women’s social mobilization efforts to commemorate the 25thanniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the blueprint for women’s rights worldwide.
Mlambo-Ngeuka is Executive Director, United Nations Women.

 

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

Continue Reading

Women

Nigeria Deserves Stylish, Sophisticated Designs-Igiebor Daddy Lucky

Published

on

IVY-K Fashion by Igiebor Daddy Lucky, a Nigerian-born designer now based in the UK, has launched the latest menswear line, Dapper Man.
One of the collection’s strengths is its classic, clean aesthetic. Dapper Man delivers sharp, structured suits in a timeless black and white color scheme that exudes a sense of luxury and professionalism. The use of high-quality fabrics like wool and silk ensures that the suits not only look high-end but also feel luxurious to the wearer. The designer’s focus on detail is evident in the meticulous tailoring, with fitted blazers and crisp trousers forming the foundation of the collection.
Where IVY-K Fashion shines is in the subtle yet elegant touches. The inclusion of beads as embellishments on lapels and cuffs adds a unique flair, blending traditional craft with modern tailoring. This nod to African heritage gives the collection a distinct identity, offering something more personal and culturally significant than your standard menswear line.
However, despite the elegance of the Dapper Man collection, there is a lingering sense of missed opportunity. The black-and-white color palette, while classic, feels overly safe. In a fashion landscape where bold colors and daring patterns often make the strongest impact, the collection could benefit from incorporating more vibrant hues or experimenting with unconventional fabrics. Pushing the envelope with color or texture could elevate these designs from simply elegant to truly memorable.
In addition, while the tailoring of the blazers and trousers is immaculate, the collection lacks a sense of playfulness or modern edge that many contemporary menswear lines are embracing. The suits are undoubtedly stylish, but the collection as a whole leans heavily on tradition. Experimenting with asymmetrical cuts, bold patterns, or even layering could add an exciting dimension to Dapper Man. The challenge is to maintain the sleek sophistication of the collection while infusing it with a fresh, innovative spirit.
Another area that could use improvement is the overall cohesion of the collection. While the suits are well-crafted, there is a feeling of repetition across the pieces. More variation in design, such as different lapel styles, pocket configurations, or even bolder accessories, would give the collection greater diversity and visual interest.
In conclusion, Dapper Man by Igiebor Daddy Lucky showcases the designer’s strong grasp of classic tailoring and elegant design, but to truly capture the attention of a broader audience, IVY-K Fashion would benefit from more daring choices. By infusing the collection with bold colors, unexpected textures, and a more modern edge, Dapper Man could move from a well-crafted line to a trendsetting force in men’s fashion. With such a solid foundation, there’s no doubt that Igiebor Daddy Lucky has the potential to lead his brand toward greater heights

Continue Reading

Women

Women Can Curb Indecent Dressing

Published

on

The trend of indecent dressing all in the name of fashion is fast becoming a norm in our generation and society at large. Most married women embrace this fashion as competition with single ladies.
Different scholars have given an in depth insight about dressing as a tool of communication.  Non-verbal communication has been asserted  as the communication between people by the means of signs or symbols.  It conveys what we wish to disseminate to the public as either intentionally or not.
According to Paul Ekman and Michael Argyle, communication is carried out through what has been classified as “Presentational Code”.  He listed nine codes of non-verbal communication, as body contact, facial expression, gestures, postures, eye movement, proximity, orientation, head nods and appearance.
This, being stated, married and single ladies should understand that their mode of dressing is communicative be it directly or indirectly as such body parts we call “private” are now being made public because of the trends or wearing of transparent dresses and this in turn calls on the attention of men who are weak and prone to illicit thoughts thus, resulting to most rape cases in our society.
This indecent dressing by most ladies has denied many their future husbands.  The truth is that a man is attracted to his kind; his desires in marriage.  It is often asserted that decency and beauty are in the eyes of the beholder, yet,  in trending times of this 21st century, dress code  and fashion in nudity form is gaining popularity.
This has become complicated as most men tend to toggle between their emotions (lust) and sanity (rationality) in terms of marriage, thereby setting a wrong foundation upon which most marriages are consummated.
On the other hand, most married women have embraced the trend of indecent dressing nipping it on the state of it being the choice dressing, approved by their spouses, leaving society with the question of what “responsible” man would prefer that the secrecy of the benefit of his marital vow has become the centre of attraction and viewership by the general public.
Hence, communicating with their dressing gas given licence to every male gender who is interested or attracted to what they see to make unsolicited sexual passes at them, which might be considered embarrassing.
At this juncture, it is important to state that ladies should  dress decently knowing that they are the epitome of nation-building, they are nation-builders, character moulders and pacesetters not just in the lives of their families but to the society at large.
In most occasions, there are no clear border lines between the married women and the single ladies because of the rate of scanty dressing which has close the gap of differences.
Women and girls should embrace this call awakening to decent mode of dressing.  Dresses that are meant to be worn indoors should remain indoors.
It is worrisome to see ladies wear shorts that are supposed to be worn in the living room on the streets without shame.  This is an awakening call to our ladies, married and singles that the opposite sex do not expose their private body parts for the public.  Sometimes, the ladies go about in the streets without wearing brazziers as to showcase their nipples.
The society should be sanitised of the menace  of indecent dressing that is lurking and taking over the entire nooks and crannies of the society and the nation at large.
Let it be known that he or she is addressed in the manner he or she is dressed.  There may be no room for a second impression.  To the single ladies,  your dressing decently will not stop you from meeting your Mr Right rather,  it will increase your stake and place you on the list of most valued women in the society.
Dressing speaks louder than words.

Kate Chisom Isiocha
Isiocha is an OND final year student of Temple Gate Polytechnic.

Continue Reading

Women

NWAPDI Launches Home Farming Scheme For Women In Okrika

Published

on

A non-governmental group,  Nigerian Women for Agricultural Progressive Development Initiative (NWAPDI), has taken it’s sensitization programme on home grown farming to women in Okrika Local Government Area.
The body which started in April, 2024 in Rivers State is boasting of huge grassroot followership and is planning a green revolution.
The Rivers State Coordinator, Barrister Ngozi Ajayi, who disclosed this in Okrika, last Thursday, said the programme would change the fortunes of women farmers and their families.
Ajayi was joined by  local government coordinators from Etche, Okrika, Emohua, and Omuma, at Ibaka Town, Okrika, to inaugurate 12-member Ward Coordinators of NWAPDI in the area.
Ajayi stated that since July, when the local government coordinators of NWAPDI were inaugurated, the body which aims to boost food sufficiency and arm women with skills in agro-production, had grown in followership, especially among the women folk.
She commended women in Okrika for the interest they had shown in the scheme, adding that she was impressed with the huge turnout and participation.
Shortly after inaugurating the 12 Ward Coordinators, Ajayi charged the women to exploit the opportunities provided by NWAPDI.
She reiterated that the body had come to stay as a way of  improving the wellbeing of women who, most times, were providers in their families.
“We want all of you to go back to your families and tell your people that whatever space you have, utilize it for subsistence farming.
“As you can see, the body is made up of lawyers, lecturers, teachers, and women in different sectors. The essence is to call attention on the need for women to collaborate together so their voices will be heard.
“Women are the major backbone in the agric sector, and if their efforts are harnessed to impact on the nation’s food production, their impact can go far,”she said.
With NWAPDI on board, she expressed optimism that the plight of women farmers would be reduced, such that all government and international support would get to the grassroots.
Also speaking, NWAPDI Coordinator in Okrika Local Government  Area, Prof. Nene Jamabo, a professor of Aqua Culture at the University of Port Harcourt, had  expressed delight over the interest shown by women in the LGA, saying with cluster farming, women would be empowered more than before.
“What we intend to do is Cluster Farming, and it’s  a whole lot of value chain. We want every woman to put food on their table.
“In Okrika we have observed that most of the women are into crafts, so we will combine cluster with integrated farming- to create a chain; some will be farming, some will be processing and others will be into marketing”, she said.
In her speech, the Chairperson, Caretaker Committee of Okrika Local Government Council, Mrs Gold Okujagu, who was represented by the Secretary of the Council, expressed satisfaction with the initiative.
She described NWAPDI as timely and very crucial to the current economic challenges in the country.
She explained that in an era of processed foods, the initiative would encourage women to grow organic foods.
She urged every woman to engage in subsistence farming at any level to reduce hazardous things that were being consumed as food.
Speaking after the inauguration, the Ward 2 Coordinator, Mrs Ibiere Williams, expressed gratitude to the Rivers State and Okrika Local Government Coordinators for organizing the programme.
Mrs Williams, who is of Ngeme-Biri, a civil servant, observed that many women from different parts of Okrika attended the programme, which indicated the readiness on their part to end food scarcity in the area.
“We saw many women from different parts of Okrika. That means we are ready to farm and see what we can gain. We appreciate the organisers, and they really encouraged us. We learned that there are so many ways for planting since we do not have much land in Okrika. Our women were happy.
“We are given these items free to plant in broken buckets, nylon and bags due to scarcity of land in the area. We were taught that sand mixed with fresh fish intestine can serve as manure. This was very educative. If we practice what we were taught, in the next one year, there will be food sufficiency in Okrika”, she said.
In her comments, a member of NWAPDI, Mrs Felicia Barasin, a business woman from Bulome-Biri stated that the programme was good and timely as many families were finding it difficult to feed because of the harsh economy.
Highlight of the occasion was the administration of oaths to the Ward Coordinators of the local government area by the Legal Officer, Ibiwari Maureen Waribo.
Also, the award of certificates and recognition of executive members of NWAPDI Okrika LGA by the State Coordinator. The EXCO include Vice Coordinator, Dr. Ibinabo Ogolo; Secretary, Ms. Constance Kalio; Treasurer, Mrs. Sime Loveday; and Public Relations Officer, Mrs Roseline Orupabo.
Cassava stems, okro, and vegetable seeds were shared amongst the women after the training section.
Over 500 women from Okrika Local Government Area attended the programme.
Continue Reading

Trending