Humanism and Women’s Rights in Nigeria<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Dr C.O.Isiramen

 

Today, the issue of women's emancipation has become a buzz word the world over. It is a great concern to many that women are deprived of their human rights. Among thoseconcerned are the humanists who have often emphasized the authentic realisation of the human rights of women.

 

The fact is that there is an obvious conflict of opinions among feminist thinkers as to what women's liberation is actually all about. For some feminists, women's liberation means an attack on the male folk, for some others it means a revolt against the demeaning status of women in the traditional society. I believe a Humanistic approach to the problem is possible.

 

Humanism

Humanism has many connotations. I use Humanism as spelt out in the Dictionary of Philosophy: ‘The ideal of a rich flourishing of individual potentiality...’. It is ‘the tendency to emphasize man and his status, importance, powers, achievements, interests or authority’. The humanist system of thought advocates the best for everyone. It promotes individual freedom and emancipation and the establishment of a just and free society for all. Humanism advocates the dethronement of all forms of discriminations, oppression or subjugation be it sexist or cultural. It is therefore correct to say that the call for women's emancipation in Nigeria is a humanistic one, because it urges the non-denial of rights, dignity and respectability of women and girl children.

 

Nigerian Constitution

The rights of women in Nigeria are clearly spelt out in the nation's constitution. Right is defined as ‘A power, privilege or immunity, guaranteed under a constitution, status or decisional laws or claimed as a respect of long usage. In moral vocabulary, respect for rights is seen as a matter of justice. Rights can be asserted, demanded or stood upon. The obligation they impose are expected to be performed and their non-performance occasions feeling of indignation, resentment and disappointment.

 

The 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, chapter 4 sections 33-43 guarantees every Nigerian the following fundamental rights: The right to life. The right to dignity of human person. The right to personal liberty. The right to freedom of statement. The right to freedom from discrimination. The right against compulsory acquisition of property without compensation.

 

Also chapter 2, section 15 of the constitution states that discrimination on the grounds of sex shall be prohibited. While section 17 upholds that ‘The social order is founded on the ideals of freedom, equality and justice. The sanctity of the human person shall be recognized and enhanced.’

 

The rights of women enshrined in the Nigerian constitution are consistent with the ideals of humanism. But unfortunately, the rights and ideals have remained paper tigers, mere theoretical postulations without any practical bearing on the lives and conditions of the Nigerian women. In practice, Nigerian society is replete with anti-humanist ideals. Women are systematically relegated to inferior positions.

 

Anti-Humanism and Women

It is sad to note that in a country where the rights of women are stipulated so in its constitution, women are still considered inferior. Women are considered to be people who can be seen but not heard. In northern Nigeria, women are not even seen! Women are considered tools and properties of men ‘whose superior position had been ordained by the divine powers or the society.’ Culturally, almost every evil occurrence in society is attributed to women who are often humiliated and accused of being responsible for the deaths of their husbands and children.

 

Educationally, women constitute the largest disadvantaged group in the country, the United Nations Chronicles acknowledges that there is gross inequality between men are women in the area of education. Politically, while women constitute more than half of the population, they are grossly underrepresented within the decision-making bodies. The ratio of females to males in the Presidency and in the National Assembly is still exceedingly low. Factors militating against women politically in Nigeria can be summed up as follows: Prevailing unequal division of labour in household and child care duties, negative attitudes towards women's participation in public life, the lack of confidence on the part of the electorate .... Another perceived constraint relates to the short historical traditions of women political participation combined with inaccessibility to Knowledge and education.

 

Traditionally, women in Nigeria face ‘deep prejudices, profound discrimination, barriers to their advancement in the areas of education, politics, economics, nutrition, healthcare, equality and even survival itself.’

 

The Feminist Movement in Nigeria

Feminist philosophy requires the liberation and emancipation of women from the shackles of oppression and dehumanisation. Unfortunately, some happenings in the feminist circles can hardly enhance the cause of Nigerian women. This is because feminists tend not to be clear as to who a liberated woman is. Thus the feminist philosophy incorporates views and perspectives which are sometimes conflicting and contradictory. There is the traditional view which holds that it is wrong for women to be talking of liberation. The traditional stance believes that the traditional status of women should be maintained. There is then the liberal view which claims that the stereotyping of females is unjust. It claims that it is socially unjust and inhuman to discriminate against women in political, economic and legal spheres. Although the liberal feminist does not condemn all sex roles, s/he however condemns emphatically all dehumanising elements which women are made to endure right from the cradle.

 

The radical view is yet another feminist position which advocates a complete revolution in the social system and not mere reforms. According to this view, feminists make claims like: Let the men say whatever they like, women liberation is a reality in the fast changing world. Men have tried to make the world static because they are tired horses ....Now is the women's era. Who says it is not right for the woman to tell her man to stay below if she can fit in conveniently on top? Radical feminism requires ‘freedom from sexual classification altogether rather than merely an equalisation of sex roles.’ Women are advised to free themselves from marriage and childbirth. If the world must be populated, technological means have to be employed. As a result of this, some women and even men are suspicious of the feminist movement; not wanting to have anything to do with it, branding it irresponsible.

 

Humanism is a philosophy that upholds the equality and dignity of all humans both male and female. Humanism is not feminism, though many humanists tend to support and share in feminist ideals and values. For the Nigerian women, the humanist worldview offers a more veritable frame-work for the free exercise of their rights, and the full and unfettered development of their potentials.

 

Dr. Isiramen is Lecturer at the Department of Religions and Cultural Studies at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria. She is a member of the Nigerian Humanist Movement and presented a paper on Women and Human Rights at the October 2001 African Humanist Conference in Nigeria.