THE RIGHT OF WOMEN'S RIGHTS ON POLITICAL CAMPAIGN AND THEIR BODY

By Salami Mariam

14/2124

Michelle Lavaughn Robinson was born on January 17, 1964. She's  an American lawyer,writer,wife, who was first lady of the united States from 2009-2017. She is married to the 44th president of the United States Barrack Obama and was  the first Africa lady.She deliver a speech in support of the democratic presidential nominee and fellow first lady Hillary clitton. Michelle obama showed us the light of hope . she proved  that some politicians like  Hillary clitton  can be over role model in life . Michelle obama speech was not only for the election campaign but also to raised the women rights around the world.

THE BUZZ ABOUT WOMEN’S RIGHTS

By OYEJOBI NURAT OLAITAN

Today, the issue of women’s rights has become a buzz word over the world. It is a great concern to many that women are deprived of their rights. It has been a burning issue in different parts of the world, yet so many think it is propaganda blown out of proportion usually because of religious or cultural inclinations.

 A right is seen as an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature. It could also be seen as a power, privilege or immunity guaranteed under a constitution. The lives of Nigerian women is yet to attain a commensurate level of improvement.

Nigerian women suffer violations of their human rights through:

1. Harmful traditional practices
2. Rape and defilement
3. Violence in the home
4. Sexual harassment at school or work
5. Harsh and punitive widowhood rites and
6. Forced childhood marriage

I went on the street of Babcock University and asked a 400 level student of ILD a few questions which are;

1.  How do you feel as a woman?

2. What is your understanding about women’s rights?

3. Have you ever been in a situation in which you felt useless as a woman?

4. What standards have you built for yourself as a woman

5. Do you see Nigeria as a country that has gender equality?

The audio below presents her response to the questions.
https://soundcloud.com/taiwo-al/oyejobi-nurat-olaitan-womens-rights-interview

 

 Picture of The Mother of Africa active feminist Mrs Fumilayo Kuti

History of Women Activism in Nigeria:
For many years notable Nigerian women have spoken up Against vices and unfair treatments against Nigerian and women at large. Many in their various ways advocated for equal rights for women rights and a few of them are:
Betty Abah: Founder and executive director of a girl-child rights and development nonprofits organization in Lagos state, Betty abah is a seasoned Journalist with a passion for women’s rights activism with experience in working in several newspapers.
She has been involved in various activism especial in the issue on the chibok girls and advocating for environmental rights in the Niger delta.
Fumilayo Ransome Kuti; Arguably one of the most infamous Nigerian women rights activists in the 20th century and regarded as the mother of Africa , she was a teacher , Political campaigner , women’s rights activist and women’s rights campaigner at her time. She is noticeably the first woman to drive in Nigeria and the mother of the infamous Fela anikulapo kuti. Her activism incudes being a powerful voice in the women’s right to vote , Leading the leadership of the egba women in 1947 against arbitrary taxation which led to the abdication of high king Ademola II in 1949 and also founded an organization of women in 1950s she was also the founder of the commoners people party who challenged the ruling NCNC but lost  . As old age overshadowed her activism, the mantle was taken over by her 3 sons and she was tragically killed at the Military storm of Kalakuta republic in 1978.
Fumi Falana: She is a lawyer a renounced activist and currently serves as the director of women empowerment and legal aid an Ngo which is targeted at helping and defending the rights of women and children.
Elizabeth Adegoke:   She was a Nigerian Nationalist and Political campaigner. She was the leader of the Leader of the Ibadan-based women’s movement in Nigeria which had a great impact in the country at that time and then later merged with the Nigerian council of women in 1959.
Margret Ekpo: She is the Pioneer Female Politician in Nigeria. A political and social activist, social mobilizer and one of the leading traditional Nigerian women activists. She established the aba township women’s association and also protested with fumilayo ransome kuti against some governmental policies. She won a seat in the eastern assembly which she held from 1961-1965

                                                                                                              Source: Wikipedia            
                                                                                                               Pedro olatunde gafar

Betty Tebbs, women's rights activist dies

By Okoh Lotechukwu.

 Women's rights activist, Betty Tebbs who spent her life working to empower women and fight for peace, died at age 98 on Monday, January 23rd. She was from Bury, Greater Manchester. She became involved with women's right aged 14 when she discovered the boy working with her at a paper mill was earning more for the same work.

"I was so pleased when I got my first wage until I saw the boys wage, which was two shillings more than me and yet we were doing the same work", Said Ms Tebbs.

"I couldn't understand it at all why that should be so I went and I joined the union and I've been a trade union member ever since".

Ms Tebbs went on to successfully lead women in a strike for equal pay at the mill in the early 1950s. 

Tributes are being paid to her. In tribute, Len McCluskey, unite general secretary said:

"It was a true honor to meet Betty. She was really something special, a shining light leading the way, urging us all to never give up the fight. Her life had spanned an extraordinary century for working class people. But Betty knew that the achievements we had made were never safe though. That's why she never stopped campaigning. We'll miss her energy but we celebrate having her on our side. Betty will always be one of us. She proudly carried the baton for justice. That baton has now been passed to us all. We will not let her down".

“Betty was a radical hero who worked tirelessly and with great humility to campaign for equal rights, worker's right and peace her whole life," said Janneke Geene. In recent months, she was awarded the Radical Hero Award by People's History Museum and given the special women's Award by Manchester City Council. 

Betty Tebbs, who was also a serial protestor and self-proclaimed revolutionary and who for over 80 years fought for sexual inequality to nuclear weapons and from apartheid to the poll tax, will be dearly missed.

WOMEN’S RIGHTS WORLDWIDE

By  Daniel Taiwo Olawumi

Photo Credit: Google

Women’s Rights are the rights and entitlements claimed for women and girls worldwide and formed the foundation for the women’s rights movement in the 19^th century and the feminist movement during the 20^th century. In some countries, women's rights are supported by law, local custom and behavior whereas in others they are ignored and suppressed. For example, in some parts of Africa i.e in medieval West Africa and in Ancient Egypt, (before colonization and the attempt by Muslims to conquer West Africa), women were held at a higher status than men and were ascribed roles of leadership in society. 

Women's rights differ from broader notions of human rights because of the belief that there is a historical and traditional bias against the exercise of women's rights in favour of men and boys. Issues commonly associated with women’s rights include but are not limited to: the right to history, to bodily integrity and autonomy, to be free from sexual violence, to vote, to hold public office, to enter into legal contract, to have equal rights in family law, to work, to fair wages or equal pay, to have reproductive rights, to own property, to education.

ATTITUDE OF WORLD POWERS TO WOMEN IN THE ANCIENT ERA

CHINA

Throughout the history of China, the place of women in history was considered inferior. In Imperial China, there was a term called “Three Obediences” which promoted: (I) Daughters to obey their Fathers, (II) Wives to obey their Husbands, (III)Widows to obey their sons. Women could not inherit business/wealth.

GREECE

Women in Ancient Greece lacked political and equal rights. They had no legal personhood. They were assumed to be part of the “Oikos” until marriage and once married, the husband becomes a woman’s “Kyrios”.

ROME

In Ancient Rome, women had no public voice and no public role. Women could not vote because politics was hierarchical.

What should our stance on the rights of women be?

We should consider women's rights as human rights. In section 34 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it states that "Every Individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person and accordingly - (a) no person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment; (b) no person shall be held in slavery or servitude; and (c) no person shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour."
Aside from the constitution, we as human beings should strive to live a life of justice and to treat one another fairly. Let us make room for love to abide among ourselves and remember that we should love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

Video Credit: Youtube

Source: wikipedia