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Etteh's Sins Not Women's Failure
It is high time the issues surrounding
the scandalous renovation contract of the official house of Madam
Speaker, Patricia Etteh in the face of the position of womenfolk were
put straight. Ever since the news of the scandal flickered into public
space, there have been flaks from especially the male circle and
persistent women haters – females and females alike.
Many have come to conclude that “what a
man can do, a woman can do …and even better. But this assertion has
been used by many in the deformative mischievous connotation that has
become the singsong of women-progress-detractors. It is important to
clarify here that Etteh’s misdemeanour should not be used to judge the
entire womenfolk. How so short the human memory can be. Have we
forgotten the unprecedented contributions of Nigerian women to our
national life as to ascribe one woman’s shortcomings to the generality
of women? Though it may be a betrayal to some of us who take interest
in balancing the differences between women and men, it does not
however imply giving up on the dream, vision and pursuit of completely
breaking the barriers to women in politics and leadership positions.
Nigerian public life has always been
male-dominated. The Beijing Platform of Action, which Nigeria is a
signatory to, makes provisions for women to fill 30 percent of all
positions in government concerns and public administrative structures.
As a measure of reinforcement, former president Obasanjo signed the
National Policy on Women in year 2000 followed by the proposal in 2006
by former Minister of Women Affairs, Maryam Inna Ciroma, for a
National Gender Policy to engender gender mainstreaming. But to say
that the result has not been visibly felt is to say the obvious. So
long as it is still the order of the day to celebrate the woman
breakthrough as the first in any top position or endeavour, so long
are women yet to arrive.
However, looking back today at the
contributions women have made in nation-building, governance, economy
and attitudinal change, one’s faith in the potential and enormous
strength of women and what positive changes they bring in the body
polity of the country become stronger. If Etteh is indicted then
gender activists and NGOs may not be too wrong to conclude that she
may have been planted to disperse the trust and confidence Nigerians
repose on our dear sweet women. Her failures are then hers alone and
should be separated from the Nigerian women. In fact our women are
strong, wise, intelligent, prudent, emotional, resourceful, and are
good managers. They have drive, foresight and are the bedrock of our
unity, peace and strength. Etteh, if found guilty, by this act, does
not represent the Nigerian women.
The reform programmes of the government
can be said to be working (the ones working) because of the thrusts
made by the few women given the opportunity to serve. Reforms in
sectors such as education, health, economy, to mention but a few are
working because they had the feminine touch. Never in the history of
modern Nigeria had women achieved this feat in public service than the
present time.
For those who feel the quest for women
to make a mark in politics is to wrest power from men, they better
have a rethink. They should not be afraid because our women are not
overzealous, don’t have negative-power motivation but are only inquest
for good governance, justice and equity to better the lot of
Nigerians. So all the harsh criticisms being elicited against simple
argument for women’s aspirations should be mellowed. Afterall, is it
not men that have been running the show and the country has been this
bastardized? How come a single woman seems to have been faulted and it
becomes a women’s error? All these years nobody ever accused men
for embezzlement, corruption and the like. Rather what we hear is
“that man (name)” not men is corrupt or embezzled public
funds.
Just this afternoon while doing this
write-up, the Nigerian female football team, the Super Falcons were
playing against the US team. And someone asked the score and was told
that Nigeria is down by a goal. I was startled at the retortions from
colleagues who quickly ‘corrected’ that it is not Nigeria that is down
by a goal but the females. I then asked why the difference? This trend
continued through out the game with sarcastic comments deriding the
females as they played. This goes to show the contempt men hold
against women.
Women should at this time and for all
times distance themselves from practices of impropriety and if the
panel investigating ‘Ettehgate’ finds Madam Speaker wanting, then the
act is shameful consequences of which should be her cup of tea. If
guilty, it will be a disappointment to women because her emergence
though, an aftermath of April poll fraudulences, was celebrated having
thought the Nigerian woman has come of age and now among the league of
prominent women all over the world.
That hope in the leadership of women
which Etteh’s emergence rekindled when she said, “As the first
woman to occupy this seat, blemish or failure must not be mentioned in
the same breath as the office I am assuming. I will not let Nigerian
women down and those who have decided that the Nigerian woman has come
of age” should not falter. If she is indicted, did she actually
write the above from the depth of her heart? Something must be wrong
somewhere. Let not the actions of one person then threaten to destroy
the struggle of gender equality.
Etteh, if you scale this hurdle
unscratched, caution then, caution. Remember, it may be all about
interests. Give not anyone reason to say ‘ehem, she was foisted on
us’. Rather concentrate on more pressing issues and make the
law…make us happy. You hear? But it turns out otherwise…well sorry.
Marshall Ifeanyi
National Press Centre, Abuja
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