Eradicating Gender Inequality in Africa

Adeniji, O

Since time past, the axiom inculcated from our forefathers has left the wonky notion of gender inequality jingling unrelentingly in the mind of an average African.

It is believed that a girl growing into a woman is saddled with the responsibilities of making babes, safeguarding the home pending the return of the man and making mouthwatering meals for the family.

Unfortunately, this malevolent orientation has continued to eat so deep into the cultures and backgrounds in Africa and has hampered the girl child and women education.

Contrary to the mindset that has beclouded the average African, women has exhibited bravery, intelligence, strength and armoury of ideas. This has been proven nationally and beyond as women have made breakthrough in science and technology, literature, politics and across all spheres of life. One then begin to wonder why the notion of gender inequality has hitherto persisted.

Glancing through section 26, subsection 2a of the 1999 constitution as amended, it clearly gives a man the prerogative to have his spouse from other countries as citizen of Nigeria. This of which is no accrued to the women, same cuts across Africa. This further reaffirm the perceived smoke of gender inequality in Africa even in our 21st Century. At this juncture, one can put the puzzle together, picturing what instigated ego of a sex over the other.

Illiteracy has been a root cause of this subject. When you educate a man, you educate an individual but when you educate a woman, you have educated a community. Therefore, to eradicate an Inequality, unalloyed attention has to be paid to education.

Ignorance has also caused a hiccup in the actualization of ending inequality. Although, ignorance and Illiteracy are breeds from the same parents, however, ignorance appear to be more devastating as one can be a literate but ignorant. Therefore, Even to the elites, awareness campaigns should be made through audio, visual and audio visual gadgets to get the oblivious ones aware of its effect.

Finally, girls and women should be orientated on the need to take the bull by the horn, pursue a career for themselves and never be discouraged to get quality education and participate in any activity of life.

Ok.. I will tell them