Dismantling Tenets of Discrimination and Violence against Women: Supreme Court Landmark Judgment in Nigeria

Apparently, the very disease of an age long discrimination against women and various forms of violence targeted against children and women by a mindless patriarchal anomie which has sought over the ages to exercise control over females in general on issues ranging from what they should wear (or not wear) through various guises as “culture”, “tradition” or “religion” is being dealt some definitive blows in Nigeria. In recent times, the judgments delivered at the apex court on the rights of a female child to inherit her parents’ property in Igbo land and against customs which disinherit women have moved from the usual tokenism and symptomatic treatment to addressing root causes of this evil. When distinction between the female and male goes beyond obvious differences in their equal importance in our shared responsibility of maintenance /preservation of life in this planet  and moves to the unfounded and man-made differences of ascertaining superiority of one over another, it invariably becomes some bestial arrogance carried too far with attendant negative consequences to the society. From Africa to the Middle East, where women are essentially regarded as objects for “prized possession”  by some jittery male folks who appear unusual of themselves and apparently intimidated at the potentials inherent in women, the evidence of wanton/senseless destruction, backwardness, wars and conflicts, extremism and bondage are all too obvious. Every progressive society must accord equal recognition to what is only a biological difference of equal reliance and nothing more. Ascribing more importance to one sex over another is entirely man made and has no empirical basis. And for the sake of argument, if any superiority must be assigned, is it too difficult to see the females bear the fundamental burdens and responsibilities of our very existence and relevance on planet earth?


Meanwhile, these landmark judgments in Nigeria must be marked and saved as a priority event that will redefine the attitude to women in our society, especially the African society typified by the Igbo “culture” that is clearly contrary to natural justice. Lack of education or refusal to accept education, even in so called “literate” communities, has perpetrated primitive “customs” that had, long ago, existed side by side with killing of twins (then a taboo!) and human sacrifice to the gods! Interestingly, twins are today, not only welcomed but also often fervently sought after and the unconscionable human sacrifice generally forbidden (though clandestine vestiges of this abominable practice are still evident in some “cultures” today), yet women are still relegated to the phantom lower class created by cult of men who lack self confidence about asserting themselves in a competitive world and resorted to use of brute force and raw muscle to define “masculinity”. This has affected the way we raise our girls and boys and subsequently, their respective socialization. Parents pass this poisonous mindset to their children and the boys grow up seeing girls as their house helps and objects of pleasure and the girls somewhat “accept” the role assigned to them by “culture”. It was only recently, in some “cultures” that parents thought it fit to send their girl child to school. The girl is raised to be sold out to another man and another family, and it is therefore considered unnecessary to “waste” resources on her education since she will be the property of another man. Shame! Marriage that is meant to be a toast of our commitment to collectively advance humanity in a mutual consent has been turned to a climax of transaction (for which the girl child has been an item of display) in which she is sold to the highest bidder (in various forms) and effectively excised from any claims to her dignity and roots like any other human. 

These obnoxious practices reduce us as a people, both male and female, and until we freely accept our differences for the colour, synergy, dynamism, mutual essence and collaboration they confer on our shared humanity, we will continue as a society in a mediocre bargain for non-propulsive motions at the fringes of civilization. We are watching to see how this Igbo “culture” (which is only generic for widespread similar malpractices in various parts of Africa and other parts of the world), held by a cult of men, would react to the Supreme Court judgment. It would be interesting to see how the “custodians of Igbo culture”, again a cult of men, would interpret this simple wordings of a court judgment. And they will always find solace in some lawyers who do not appear to believe in any moral obligations to their practice and to humanity in making the world a better place, fair and equitable. Justice Ogunbiyi said that much in delivery that sunshine judgment. Rather, their loyalty is to their pockets and their ego; lawyers who should bring about illumination to issues but rather cast darkness on the horizon and make simple matters complicated.


Finally, my appreciation goes to these brave women who refused to be cowed into submission but took up the case to this conclusion. You have not only achieved this feat for your children and family, you have also done it for my wife, children and family, and numerous children and families nationwide and beyond. Your steadfastness in knowing that evils and injustices which masquerade as “culture”, “religion” or “tradition” will not endure in the long run has saved the rest of the society from the rabid voraciousness of some men who lie in wait to reap where they have not sowed. Thank you brave women and thank you the judiciary. The fight is far from over. On this issue, our vigilance is called upon in following up the implementation of the Supreme Court ruling-some light in darkness.