On August 24, I was on a radio show called "House of Parapo" at 99.9 Kiss Fm Abuja radio to talk about Women and social justice: Building a protective environment for women development.
Some men called in during the show and their bone of contention was that a woman must submit to her husband, especially because her bride price has been paid for. One even said if his wife ever dares to challenge him, he would treat her in a way "devil would pity her". In response, I told him a woman is not his property; she's human first, someone who deserves respect and dignity.
28% of Nigerian women aged 25-29 have experienced some form of physical violence since age 15.
43% of girls in Nigeria are married before the age of 18, while 20% of women aged 15 to 49 have undergone Female Genital Mutilation.
Girls make up 60% of Nigeria’s 10 million out-of-school children; 30% of girls aged 9-12 have never been to school at all. Barriers such as child marriage, poverty and discriminatory social norms keep Nigerian girls out of school.
But "submission" is what these men are CONCERNED about???
I get it, this is what happens when people have been in proximity with power and privilege for so long, they think they have to react to any threat to either violently.
We have a long way to go, but I'm grateful I protect my space enough to not come in contact with these harmful opinions often.