BRING BACK OUR GIRLS

By Jarai Sabally

I screamed and screamed and screamed but not a single sound came out of my throat, my face was twice its normal size, and my once so bright eyes took the color of blood. The hot African sun burned my skin, but I couldn’t feel it; I was paralyzed by fear. I looked around me and saw my fellow peers, once very young and joyful, screaming and begging for their lives. “This is just a nightmare” I told myself, “Soon my mama will come running, wipe my tears, comfort me and single me a song”. I close my eyes, and place my hands on them, I counted till a hundred, telling myself “This is just a nightmare”. Loud screams make me abruptly open my eyes, I saw the large monsters with their weapons threatening my peers. I realized this wasn’t a nightmare, this is real.

They say they will take us away, and make us pious and good women. They will give us away to men who will make us brides, we will become little young wives to old men. I shake my head in disbelieve, just yesterday I was trying out my new dress for the school dance. “How can my life change so drastically in less the 24hours, how?” I ask myself, and then I look up again searching for answers and a savior, but couldn’t find any.

“What have I done to deserve this?” I ask myself, “Is it because I lied to my parents yesterday about my exam, or is it because I peeked at another peer’s exam sheet while she was sharpening her pencil?, If this is the case then, I beg for forgiveness” I looked up in the sky with my bloody eyes searching for answers. “What is going to happen to me? What will they do to me? Will I ever see my parents again?” the thought of never seeing my parents again brings chills of fear in my body.

I spend the whole day trembling in fear, fear the unknown. I roll myself in a little corner and thought about my mother, how is she? She must be going crazy, how about my father, I am his only daughter, how is he dealing with this situation? My family? My family? My family? I need to be strong for my family. I sit up straight and wipe my tears “I need to be strong for my family, I will see them again, even if it takes me forever, we will meet again”. I patiently wait for the monsters to leave, then I whisper to my peers, “Be strong for your family, wipe your tears and let’s come together as one”. We all curled up to each other, said a prayer and closed our eyes. “Tomorrow will be a better day”.

BRING BACK OUR GIRLS

By Aastha Kapoor

It has been more than a month since those 276 schoolgirls were abducted from their schools and carried in a convoy truck by a group of militants in Nigeria. Around 50 of them have managed to escape and there is no news about the other 223 who are still missing. Sadly, the Nigerian government hasn’t been in action which has made an outside intervention inevitable. Social media has managed to gather a worldwide support for the cause of bringing those girls back home safely. The region they come from is a hotbed for the terrorist group ‘Boko Haram’ whose English translation is “Western education is a sin”. It is therefore not a daunting task to look for the real cause behind the abduction. Around 50 schools have been demolished in the country in recent months. It was here that these girls had resolved to get over their fears and pursue their education. Many of them were to become doctors and lawyers till the day arrived when they were kidnapped. It is feared that these girls would be put into sex trafficking.

Therefore, the problem roots from the cultural and social stigma associated with education which reveals how much work is yet to be done to dream of a happy and safe Nigeria. Only a well-informed and educated person has the tool to uproot the mismanaged system. While the US Secretary of State John Kerry has called Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan to act urgently on the large scale kidnapping and human trafficking incident, it is not the first time that an African country has come to news; there are many sectors like health, infrastructure, security, education and safety that need to be developed which in turn is impossible without worldwide solidarity and actionable plans.

Sadly, one single incident takes us miles behind our cause as it takes a lot of time to re-kindle and re-instate the same trust in people’s minds who have endured hardships to seek for a better change all these years. DeltaWomen itself works to rebuild that society. It is important though that the efforts don’t halt and that we don’t fail in our little endeavours to bring out a positive change. Even if it is signing a petition on change.org, every little effort is worth it. It is necessary to survive and win this war.

Malala Yousafzi won her fight, lets hope these schoolgirls win theirs too.

For more reading into it:

1.http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/04/opinion/sunday/kristof-bring-back-our-girls.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0

2. http://edition.cnn.com/2014/05/03/world/africa/nigeria-abducted-girls/

Hundreds of Nigerian Women Abducted… Again

By Sabrina Willard

While scrolling through my Twitter feed yesterday, a headline caught my eye:

In Nigeria, the mass abduction of schoolgirls isn't shocking

It incited my interest not only because I blog for Delta Women, an organization that spreads awareness and provides inspiration to women throughout Nigeria, but also because the headline almost reeked of boredom.

You’d think that, stacked up against life’s most yawn-inducing events, a mass kidnapping would be the furthest from unsurprising. Yet, the article’s authors somehow managed to make the abduction of 230 school girls sound falsely commonplace. My initial thought was, “That’s a little messed up.”

Reading along, the article further explained that a midnight raid, during which armed militants stormed the Government Girls Secondary School dormitory, “herding more than 200 students on to vehicles and burning down nearby buildings as they made their escape,” nearly a week and a half ago wasn’t that shocking to the people who live in this poor section of Nigeria (CNN.com, 4/21/14).

                                         

Borno, a province bordering Cameroon, is characterized as being lawless and violent. Travel is discouraged, phone service is non-existent, and the area has been under a state of emergency for the last 11 months. Stirring up trouble is an Islamist militant group called Boko Haram that regularly storms residences to kidnap, rape and murder.

“The group has gone about its misguided mission with such depressing regularity that residents have become somewhat numb.”

The most recent surge of abductions began in 2013 following a video released by the group where they announced their intention to start mass kidnappings in retaliation for previous actions by the Nigerian military during which they apprehended some of the group members’ wives and children.

This headline speaks plainly about dangers that people living in the Borno province of Nigeria have come to accept as a fact of life. The whereabouts of 190 out of 230 girls from this secondary school are still unknown, and community members are so desensitized that they find it unsurprising? No wonder I couldn’t wrap my head around it.

It goes without saying that what is considered shocking in one part of the world may be considered ordinary in another. It’s just unfortunate (note: understatement) that what the residents of this Nigerian province have come to view as “run-of-the-mill” involves families being torn apart, death and the disempowerment of women.

An NGO Mounts Free Eye Program

12/28/2012

In its continued efforts towards the betterment of the society, Deltawomen NGO in partnership with Igbanke National Progressive Association (INPA), yesterday organized a free eye test programme at Igbanke, Edo state.

The program, which was aimed at reducing high rate of blindness in the society, was part of the NGO’s program.

Over 160 indigenes of Igbanke, and those living in the environs, especially from Agbor were tested, screened, and examined. 96 reading glasses were given out according to the doctors prescriptions for free, while some were referred to nearby specialist eye clinic.

According to the project officer, Mr. Shedrack Agboje, who spoke on behalf of Deltawomen, Ms Elsie Reed says; “this is a regular event that Delta Women conducts, in memory of Mrs. Comfort Ijorogu, Ms. Elsie Ijorogu-Reed’s mother. Mrs. Comfort Ijorogu unfortunately lost her eyesight before her passing. “

“Understanding that this condition is reversible if detected early enough, Ms. Elsie Ijorogu-Reed decided to ensure that she would provide facilities to help as many people as she can.”

Mr. Shedrack further said that Deltawomen is not a political organization, so will not return to the village to merely work for votes, as it is purely a humanitarian effort.

Mr. Celestine Ugbe, the chairman of all Igbanke Youths, and member council of Onogies, said “we appreciate the efforts of Igbanke National Progressive Association, and Deltawomen, we expect that in the near future that they will remember us again, as this is the first of its kind.”

One of the beneficiaries, His Royal Highness, HRH, Sunday Osunde, the Onogie of Oligie, thanked the organizers of the event, especially her own daughter, Mrs. Gloria Eluebo Adagbon, the founder of Igbanke National Progressive Association for her kind gesture, and her efforts towards alleviating the sufferings of the less privileged Igbankes. He prayed that God will continue to bless her and her family.

THE RISE IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING

There is weight of evidence that more Nigerians are engaged in human trafficking. There is need to tackle the menace

There seems to be no end to the humiliating act of human trafficking in our country. It is even more unfortunate that some of the victims, especially young ladies, are trafficked to smaller West African countries that look up to Nigeria. Only recently, the Nigerian Ambassador to Mali, Mr. Iliya Nuhu, had cause to lament that the problem of human trafficking had grown in magnitude and sophistication to the extent that a good number of Nigerians in his country of posting seemed to be thriving on it. He described the development as akin to modern day slavery with some unscrupulous Nigerians now recruiting from their villages and towns young girls between the ages of 10 and 15 which are then sold into lives of misery. According to the ambassador, about 20 to 30 girls are trafficked to Mali daily, with the promise of securing for them good jobs only to turn them to prostitutes.

There are chilling statistics which suggest that human trafficking has become one of the biggest money making businesses after drug trafficking today. It is therefore rather shameful that our country is regarded not only as a transit route for this illegal trade but also a source as well as a destination with children and young adults, especially of the womenfolk, now becoming merchandise for what has become a cross-border crime.

It is instructive to note that to combat this challenge, the federal government had in 2003 enacted the Trafficking in Persons Law Enforcement and Administration Act. It was amended in 2005 to prescribe more severe penalties for offenders as well as prohibits all forms of human trafficking. Despite that, human trafficking remains a major challenge in our country today while the non-domestication of the Child Rights Act by many states has only compounded the problem.
In what is clearly an organised crime involving international syndicates, human traffickers move their victims to Europe through North Africa by caravan, most often forcing their victims to cross the desert on foot. In the process many die even as the survivors are subjected to all forms of indignity, in the bid to repay the heavy debts owed their “benefactors” by way of travel expenses. But the trade is thriving because while in the past NAPTIP had been able to secure convictions for trafficking offences. That is no longer the case as most of the people involved wield powerful influence with which they circumvent the law.

To tackle the menace, families, voluntary organisations and other stakeholders should join governments, at all levels, in the efforts to provide adequate framework for the protection of the Nigerian child. Even when our country took the right step in establishing the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and related matters (NAPTIP) in 2004, the agency has been downgraded to Tier 2 status because of its inability to maintain its vigour. NAPTIP has been handicapped by influential Nigerians who seek the release of human traffickers and a lack of an ECOWAS framework to collaborate with transit countries.

While we condemn human trafficking, we are of the strong belief that a demonstration of political will to diligently prosecute offenders would serve as deterrent to those engaged in the nefarious trade, irrespective of their social status. There is also a need for a sustained sensitisation of Nigerians, especially in rural areas, on the dangers posed by ‘good Samaritans’ who offer better lives for children away from the watchful eyes of their parents and guardians. A culture where little children are expected to provide for, or supplement, their family upkeep should also be discouraged while the authorities must put in place guidelines on the hiring of domestic household staff through certified agencies

Source: Thisday 06 Dec 2012

 

Court declares Police Act on female officers’ marriage illegal

On May 17, 2012 · In News

12:33 am

 4

BY INNOCENT ANABA
LAGOS — The provision of the Police Act, which prohibits a female officer from marrying a man of her choice without the permission of the Commissioner of Police in the command where she is serving, has been declared illegal and unconstitutional by a Federal High Court in Ikeja, Lagos.

Trial judge, Justice Steven Adah, rejected the arguments of the Attorney-General of the Federation and held that Regulation 124 was illegal, null and void due to its inconsistency with Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution.

The court declared the Regulation unconstitutional and proceeded to annul pursuant to Section 1(3) of the Constitution.

Women Empowerment and Legal Aid Initiative, WELA, had brought the suit, challenging the constitutional validity of the said Regulation 124.

The said Regulation states: “A woman police officer who is desirous of marrying must first apply in writing to the Commissioner of Police for the state command in which she is serving, requesting permission to marry and giving name, address and occupation of the person she intends to marry. Permission will be granted for the marriage if the intended husband is of good character and the woman police officer has served in the force for a period of not less than three years.”

WELA counsel had arguing that it was illegal to ban a woman police officer for three years before entering into a marriage and that seeking permission of a Police Commissioner was an infraction of her fundamental right to dignity and freedom of choice.

The group had contended that since a male police officer was not subjected to the same inhibitions, Regulation 124 was inconsistent with section 42 of the constitution and Article 2 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which have prohibited discrimination on the basis of sex.

The group had asked the court to expunge the said Regulation from the Police Act, as it was not justifiable in a democratic state such as Nigeria, which had domesticated the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and ratified the  Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People Rights on the  Rights of Women in Africa and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, CEDAW..

Attorney-General of the Federation, through his counsel, had contended that the said regulation was designed to protect women police officers from falling into the hands of criminals, adding that the purpose of the law was to prevent women police officers from marrying men of bad character.

The AGF further contended that the three-year ban was meant to ensure that a woman police officer was not pregnant “during the rigorous training she must undergo after her employment.”

 

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/05/court-declares-police-act-on-female-officers-marriage-illegal/

Women To Tackle National Issues-NGO

A non governmental orgnization, Deltawomen, has said it is committed to realizing the dreams of women as pivotal change makers who against all odds strive to make their impact felt.

Mr.  Agboje Shedrack, who spoke on behalf of the CEO, Mrs Elsie Reed said the organization was spurred by the need to raise transformational leaders who will change the nation. He said though everyone was lamenting about the deplorable situation in the country, “it would remain same if women do not pick up the auntlet.”

“Women are natural born leaders and so should be given the opportunity to carve a niche for themselves in the society.

“Female folks are uniquely positioned as life springs and conscience of
the nation and as such is imperative that they realize their purpose,” He said .
He also said women, to a large extent, affect the destiny of a nation because they influence direction of values of youth.

He noted that by the  time leadership schools are trying to teach people the principles of leadership, it is usually too late but when a mother handles a child and talks to them about what is right or wrong it stays with them.
He, however, said Deltawomen was dedicated to empower them to be positioned as catalyst in promoting social justice, social welfare and equity in different works of life as well as people of
character and purpose who are change agent.

Source: Pointer Newspaper. Vol 12, No 3403 ISSN 14444-5975 Thursday, November 8, 2021

Child Brides: Stolen Lives of Nigeria’s Girls

Nigeria has some of the highest rates of child marriages in the world. In some areas, particularly the Northwest region, nearly half of the girls in the country are married by the age of 15, often to much older men.

The government has tried to ban marriage under the age of 18 by passing the Child Rights Act in 2003. Federal law, however, can be implemented differently at the state level. To date, only a few of the country’s 36 states have developed provisions to execute the law. Furthermore, Nigeria has three different legal systems operating simultaneously-civil, customary, and Islamic-and state and federal governments only have control over marriages that take place within the civil system. This type of governance makes it difficult to curtail child marriages across the country1. 

The consequences of child marriages are devastating for girls:
“When I was 10 my parents arranged for me to marry in the forest. They pretended it was just a party. But it was a wedding and they sent me away. My mother never told me I was going to be married. They came and took me by force. I cried but it didn't make any difference,” Child Bride, 10 years old2.

Married girls receive basically no education. Only 2 percent of 15-19 year old married girls attend school, compared to 69 percent of unmarried girls1. Lack of education limits girls only to the reproductive roles-submissive wives and mothers. A lack of education also means that young girls lack knowledge about sexual relations, thus denying girls the ability to make informed decisions about sexual relations, planning and family, and most importantly, her health2.

Having children at such a young age is also a serious health hazard. Mothers whose bodies are physically incapable of going through childbirth suffer horrible injuries that leave them physically and emotionally scarred for life. One of the most severe consequences of child pregnancy is fistulas. The Ministry of Health estimates between 200,000-400,000 girls and women are living with fistulas1. Fistula is a condition that leaves girls leaking urine and/or feces and often results in abandonment by partners, family and friends. These girls therefore become stigmatized by their communities and often resort to working in the sex industry as result of being shunned by society.   

Fistula is not the only medical condition that young brides are susceptible to. Young girls are much more likely than unmarried girls to contract HIV from their usually older, polygamous husbands. Married girls have less knowledge about HIV and are less likely to negotiate condom use. They are also unaware that HIV can be passed on from mother to child1.

Despite all these devastating consequences, child marriage still continues to prevail and there is considerable opposition to the law banning child marriage, particularly in Northern Nigeria. This is partly due to families living in poverty who cannot afford to care for their daughters; having notions of morality and honour with a high value placed on a girl’s virginity, and religion. One cleric states that it is difficult to accept banning of child marriages because it is permissible according to religion3.

The way forward is a difficult and challenging path, but a necessary one. A lot can be done to promote later, chosen and legal marriage. Some suggestions include raising awareness of the extent of early marriage and human rights abuse it constitutes; engaging communities through public campaigns, pledges or incentive schemes; and raising awareness for parents, community leaders, and policymakers about the importance and necessity of enrolling girls in schools and completing education.

1“Child Marriage Briefing Nigeria”: Population Council, August 2004. http://www.populationcouncil.org/pdfs/briefingsheets/NIGERIA.pdf
2 “Child Marriage:” Forward: Safeguarding Rights and Dignity. 2012
3 Navai, Ramita. Unreported World: Nigeria Child Brides.2008.

By May el Habachi