Generational Mentoring Advocated To Break The Bias Against Women
By Martina Egobuike-Enebeli
WARRI/Nigeria: Call had been made by women in Nigeria to carryout continuous education and mentoring of the girl child in in order to break the bias against women, and stop the ever increasing gender discrimination in the country.
This call was made recently by a consortium of women who came together in Warri, the commercial nerve centre of Delta State to celebrate the 2022 International Women’s Day.
Speaking at event, Dr. Rachael Misan Ruppee, Executive Director of DICI, said inter-generational mentoring, is all about not leaving a gap between the cause been pursued today, and the upcoming generation.
In her words,, “It’s all about not leaving a gap between the cause we’re pursuing and the upcoming generation that will take over from us when we’ve left the stage. On this occasion, we’re on course to mobilizing a critical mass of the citizens to break the bias that has over the years hindered women from reaching the zenith of their career in politics, government, and other spheres of life.”
Expressing disgust at the spate of discrimination against women in Nigeria, Ruppee queried, “Why would women who make up about 50 per cent of the population not be involved in decision making and leadership in Nigeria. This sadistic trend may not be unconnected to the worsening phases of underdevelopment straddling the Nigerian state over the years.”
“Our inter-generational mentoring door is filling the gap so that when we leave the stage there are other people to carry on with this crusade, they in turn, will mentor another generation, teaching them the values, character, attitude, and ways of getting women involved in leadership and decision making. Like socialisation, this mentoring will continue until gender equality is achieved.” She said.
On her part, Pastor Bridget Affiah of IWAI, lamented increasing spate of discrimination against women in Nigeria over the years.
She described the development as worrisome, even as she called on women to magnify their voices to be able to break the bias limiting women in every spheres of development in the country.
“Together we can forge women’s equality and collectively we can all break the bias,” she stated.
She noted that women are often burdened by various forms of discrimination in Nigeria, occasioned by skewed cultural beliefs, ignorance, and stereotype, a development she vehemently condemned.
She envisaged an egalitarian world where everybody is given a sense of belonging, saying, “imagine a gender equal world; a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination; a world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive; a world where difference is valued and celebrated.”
Fielding questions from journalists, Pastor Affiah said, “The theme of this year’s international women’s day ensures everybody’s interest is taking care of, by ensuring there is gender equality and inclusiveness to engender sustainability today, tomorrow and in the future. That’s why we’re breaking all the biases against women in every sphere of life in Nigeria.”
“Gender in this context is not about the sexes (male and female) only. It encompasses the physically challenged persons, the aged, including young people to ensure sustainability.”
Pastor Affiah chastised the National Assembly for taking a hard and discriminatory stand against women recently, saying, and “the world is evolving. So, when you come to terms with the transformation with regard to promoting gender parity in countries like Ghana, and Rwanda, you’ll be wondering if our law makers who often travel around the world are not seeing the changes happening now across the world.” She asked.
In the same vein, Megbele Jessica, Chairperson, FIDA, said, “FIDA has the mandate to take advocacy and sensitization programmes to our communities to educate women about the relevant laws that protect their rights, because many women don’t have knowledge of the laws.
The highpoint of the event was suggestions made by the participants to break the biases against women. They include: policy advocacy, taking the campaign: #break the bias to women in communities, teaching women leadership skills, celebrating women’s achievements, inter-generational mentoring, capacity building and skills development programmes for women, building and promoting culture of peace among women, giving support to women, mindset reorientation, promoting love among women, and others.
Present at the event were Rev. Francisca Davis of Hope Shield Empowerment Initiative; Amb. (Mrs.) Tricia Obi-Abu, CEO, Patreva International Limited (PIL); Ms Lelekumo Helen; Akpata Rose, Mrs. Nwachukwu Endurance of Global Network for Children & Women Development; Ejiro Aphurhi of FACICP; Best Akhaluola (FACICP); Pastor (Mrs.) Bridget Affiah of IWAI; Gloria Ebrakeme of (IWAI); Megbele Jessica, Chairperson, FIDA; Alero Osifo, Welfare, FIDA; Anyasor Faith of DICI; and Tonbra Kilopirite of WIVES INT’L.
