I was at a 2 -day voters education workshop. Organized by Centre for Human Development (CHD) to especially sensitize the grassroots women to their voting rights and to encourage them to register and vote for many of the credible women vying for one post or the other. Among the funders of this event was the UNDP with their belief in the National Gender Policy and affirmative action of 35% political posts at all levels of governance for women.
In many of the discussions at this workshop, I could still see why many efforts of women's organizations and activities do not have very effective and positive results. The main killer of these numerous efforts are the perceptions and mindsets of the people. What struck me as very backward and unbelievable is the belief among some men and some women at the event that 'women are responsible for men's corruption and abuse of power because ones they touch the men's heads during fun time, they are able to convince them', seriously? Very soon, women will be responsible fully (since that is the case in many quarters anyways) for being raped, for domestic violence, for patriarchy, for all the chaos and violence and for the failures of many leaders especially in Africa to transfer power.
I wonder why anyone would fail to see the intoxication of absolute power in action. The lack of proper structure and system that will be diffcult to abuse in place. Many developed countries are able to put corruption under check and they have women in their countries who have fun with their men. So, why are women now the culprit in a system where it is clear to the glaring eyes that women are victims of? Many women are so poor they can't afford to go to school or send their children to one, many cannot afford good medical care and yet many cannot afford three square meals not to talk of having any decent shelter. What on earth is wrong with us? Why do we always let go of men when they have to face up to their failure and take responsibilities for their actions? Many of these men believe in God yet they are plundering their countries, oppressing and cheating their people, yet we are still giving them excuses by blaming others for their errors!
If this is our foremost thinking in this 21st century, then, women's rights are far from being recognised and many of our failed leaders like Gbagbo would still be able to do more harms than good and many people will still be taking wrong approaches to wrong issues. As I was pondering on how we can effectively correct wrong mindsets in our society, one of the participants received a call. Her sister, who is a political aspirant was murdered right in front of their mother in their home in Edo state. Then, I wondered, where is the hope that things will change for the better?
In many of the discussions at this workshop, I could still see why many efforts of women's organizations and activities do not have very effective and positive results. The main killer of these numerous efforts are the perceptions and mindsets of the people. What struck me as very backward and unbelievable is the belief among some men and some women at the event that 'women are responsible for men's corruption and abuse of power because ones they touch the men's heads during fun time, they are able to convince them', seriously? Very soon, women will be responsible fully (since that is the case in many quarters anyways) for being raped, for domestic violence, for patriarchy, for all the chaos and violence and for the failures of many leaders especially in Africa to transfer power.
I wonder why anyone would fail to see the intoxication of absolute power in action. The lack of proper structure and system that will be diffcult to abuse in place. Many developed countries are able to put corruption under check and they have women in their countries who have fun with their men. So, why are women now the culprit in a system where it is clear to the glaring eyes that women are victims of? Many women are so poor they can't afford to go to school or send their children to one, many cannot afford good medical care and yet many cannot afford three square meals not to talk of having any decent shelter. What on earth is wrong with us? Why do we always let go of men when they have to face up to their failure and take responsibilities for their actions? Many of these men believe in God yet they are plundering their countries, oppressing and cheating their people, yet we are still giving them excuses by blaming others for their errors!
If this is our foremost thinking in this 21st century, then, women's rights are far from being recognised and many of our failed leaders like Gbagbo would still be able to do more harms than good and many people will still be taking wrong approaches to wrong issues. As I was pondering on how we can effectively correct wrong mindsets in our society, one of the participants received a call. Her sister, who is a political aspirant was murdered right in front of their mother in their home in Edo state. Then, I wondered, where is the hope that things will change for the better?
6 comments:
that is the reality of the whole world..i mean, everything is a woman's fault. hubby used to say, 'when you say no to a relative's demand, they say it is the wife that caused it, if you say yes and give them , they never remember to even say thank you to the wife'..
it is the same situation everywhere and in all situation.
my sympathies to the woman whose sister was killed, that's naija politics for you..it's sooooo sad!!!!
That's such a backward belief! and if by some very slim chance it is true, then the men should be thoroughly ashamed to say it!
Hmmm! That is just the situation we find ourselves in. When we talk, we are called all sorts... However, i strongly believe that things would change one day!
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Sex workers would be ruling the world if it were true that women convince men to engage in corruption and abuse of power by touching their head during fun time. Accepting responsibility for our actions and inaction is a sure way of achieving success and sustain the protection of our women and children.
The reality of the world and I would not be surprised if the motion was started by a woman...we women allow the society/culture to dictate to us...we have to fight this our ignorance...we can never move forward if we continue to believe all this dumb theories
Ha! so true oo! If the man break leg sef, na the woman fault!..tnx for stopping by...do appreciate.
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