The Role of Women in the Development of Avhianwu Land by Chief (Mrs.) Veronica Ayi Ilegar (JP) at Avhianwu Day, 6th April 2015
THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AVIANWU LAND BEING AN ADDRESS BY CHIEF (MRS) VERONICA AYIILEGAR (JP) ON THE OCCASION OF AVHIANWU SONS AND DAUGHTERS CONFERENCE, 6th APRIL 2015 Key points Biblical mention of women and their role from the history of creation and the women in Israel World renowned women Nigerian women activists Formation of NCWS – pioneers of women leadership roles Their place today – ministers, governance, business, entrepreneurship Policies on women and status – Ed, (violence) law and justice, agriculture, women and poverty, economic activities, development projects etc. Women in Avianwu land – hindrances Partnering with women if they must succeed in their roles – consultative approach, thematic areas, programme areas, women and girls in Avianwu community development projects, infrastructural projects, health, micro-credit facilities, Education and training, agriculture, research etc. Conclusion Expectation of number of cultural changes, hall of fame, cultural revival, change of attitude of men towards women, inheritance – wife, property, etc., data bank of our women achievers, inclusion of women in council of chiefs as source of dissemination of information etc. THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AVHIANWU LAND BEING AN ADDRESS BY CHIEF (MRS) VERONICA AYIILEGAR (JP) ON THE OCCASION OF AVHIANWU SONS AND DAUGHTERS CONFERENCE, 6th APRIL 2015 The new America Bible states from Genesis 1-2 the importance of a woman when God created the first Father on earth – Adam and from him, our mother. Eve as a help mate. Similarly, we read from the same bible, the roles played by the women like Deborah, Esther, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Christ. They played their roles as military leaders, consolers, religious leaders, peace makers, political and social roles to assist in the development of their various communities in Israel. The history of some international women activists and leaders cannot be left out such as Mrs. Indira Ghandi of India, Mrs. Margaret Thatcher of United Kingdom, Mrs. Hillary Clinton and others not mentioned here. In Nigerian history, women leaders like Mrs. Fumilayo Ransom kuti of Abeokuta, Madam Tinubu of Lagos State, Queen Amina of Zaria, and Mrs. Margaret Ekpo of Calabar distinguished themselves in the various roles they played in the development of our country, Nigeria. In recent times, women like the late Pharmacist Dora Akunyuli, Lady (Mrs.) Virginia Etieba, Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Iweala, Dr Obby Ezekwesili, Mrs. Deziani Allison Madueke etc. have displayed before the world that “sex has no brain”. According to Mrs. Adetokunbo Ademola, the first leader of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Nigeria, she remarked that “What a man can do, a woman can also do it”. This body, NCWS, Nigeria, is the most powerful Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) which linked all the regions then, with the aim of bridging the gap between women, irrespective of creed, tribe and class. It is a voice for the women and a platform for dissemination of information on women opinions and a liaison between the women and government. The subsequent leadership ran thus Lady Mrs. Adetokunbo Ademola 1958-64 Dr Mrs. Abimbola Awoniyi 1964-71 Mrs. Kofo Pratt-1971-76 Mrs. R.Doherty-1976-80 Mrs. C.I.Nzeako-1980-84 Mrs. Helen Adefarasin-1984-86 Chief Mrs. Emily lmokhuede-1986-88 Hajia Laila Dongoyaro-1988-90 Dr Mrs. Elizabeth Nwokeafor-1990-2005 Hajia Usman-2005-2009 Chief Mrs. Nkechi Uba 2009 – date In the then Bendel State, now Edo State, we had women like Chief Mrs. Christy Boyo the first women leader 1958 Mrs. Deaconess Grace Osagie Chief Mrs. Agatha Ehiemua Dr Mrs.: P.E.B Uku Chief Mrs. Marcelina Aisebeogun Chief Mrs. Veronica Ayi llegar JP 2002-2008 and Mrs. Grace Omoluru presently. In our Local Government Chapter, the first president. Chief Mrs. V.A. llegar JP followed by Mrs. Scholastica Imodemhe and presently we have Mrs. Queen Braimah. NCWS has representatives both at the Federal, States and Local Governments levels with the various women groups in affiliation with the body. Each nation like Nigeria is in affiliate of the International Headquarters at the Hague. The wife of the former president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Mrs. Marian Babangida played a major role in the lives of the Nigerian women at both international, national and grassroots levels through her popular project tagged “Better Life for Rural Women”. Today, women ethics in the care for their homes, family lives, dressing codes and businesses have transformed to the glory of all Nigerians. Women formed social groups and committees of women in development. Law. Medicine, Banking, Administration etc. From then, the drive for women in politics, poverty alleviation programmes, and others were embedded in the national policy on women which led to the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Youth Development. Despite these achievements, there are problems facing the women in the full participation at national and grassroots development irrespective of age, class, ethnicity or geographical difference. Prevalent in Nigeria and other cultures, violence can be classified as emotional and psychological abuse. Most women suffer sexual harassment and assault in bride price, domestic violence, rape, widowhood rites, human trafficking, forced prostitution, female genital mutilation, child marriage, denial of quality education, wife battering, wife inheritance, murder, violence from law makers, exclusion from property inheritance, discriminatory employment etc. Avhianwu land is not different from the other communities on the globe, hence, it is necessary to have the knowledge as stated in this piece to know the way forward to women’s roles in our land. The problem of Africa today is that women, the key producers, are bypassed by development. Walter Rodney stated that the development at the Individual level implies increased skills and capacity, greater freedom, creativity, self-discipline, responsible and material wellbeing. At the level of the society, it Implies, cultural advancement, eliminating poverty, violence, illiteracy and hunger. The main objective aims at an improved standard of living through increased income and employment opportunities. Going by this definition, it is evident that despite the several decades of developmental efforts in Nigeria and Africa, no significant benefit has come to the region. The reason is not far-fetched: women who meet the survival needs of