A woman’s battle

Hello readers, I know you expect to see Love & Tragedy Part 2, so forgive me because I decided to write about something else. I promise you that you would get to see L&T Part 2 in the next edition of BD Sunday.

‘Who runs the world? GIRLS!’ This popular tune sung by Beyonce Knowles is loaded with truth.

Centuries ago the women were relegated to the home front. Their authority was limited to the home and children. Women were even considered as chattel to be possessed by husbands. Whenever I remember that period, I think to myself that the men who lived then did nothing but short-change themselves. The extra value that women could have added to every facet of life at that time is immeasurable.

Thankfully times have changed. The world has come to see that women are strong both at home and in the work place. Whilst growing up I was interested in a number of things. I remember wanting to be a scientist, a dermatologist, a musician and many more. As I got older I realized that all I ever wanted to be is a strong woman and regardless of the profession be excellent. I came across an article on the internet two days ago and it was titled ’50 most powerful mums in 2014’. I had always asked myself, ‘Can a woman truly have a family and still be a formidable tower in her industry?’ This article answered my question. These mothers are doing great things all over the world. The article showcases hardworking women in fields usually dominated by men and they also give a bit of insight on how they balance work and their personal lives. They admit that it’s not a piece of cake however it is not impossible.

Unfortunately in the midst of these amazing success stories, there are women in some parts of the world whose rights have been stifled so as not to obtain the requisite education that would put them in position to achieve great success. It is easy not to be bothered when you have these things handed to you on a platter easily forgetting that our female rights were fought for by the women who lived decades ago.

I am sure we all know Malala Yousafzai but for those who don’t I would give a brief background on her. As a young girl she defied the Taliban in Pakistan and demanded that girls be allowed to receive an education. She was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman in 2012, but survived.  Despite the Taliban’s threats, Yousafzai remains a staunch advocate for the power of education. On October 10, 2013, in acknowledgement of her work, the European Parliament awarded Yousafzai the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. That same year, she was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. She didn’t win the prize, but was named a nominee again in March 2014.

So many young girls have found themselves in this devastating situation and are taught not to disrupt the status quo. Not many would have laudable endings like Malala unless we intervene, taking into consideration that we picked the longer straw by being in a society where we have the freedom to be whoever we want.

Currently in our beloved country, Nigeria the worst thing imaginable has happened. Terrorists stormed a secondary school and kidnapped over 200 young girls. As an onlooker this is greatly disturbing, as a parent of any of the girls, it is a nightmare, as one of the girls…the feeling is unimaginable. Heaven knows what these girls are being put through on an hourly basis. Frightened and confused young girls being held captive by brutal unfeeling beings is such a heart wrenching situation.

This is not just devastating to us but to the entire world for it is hard to think that the perpetuators are walking amongst us and snickering at the fact that they haven’t been caught. They probably feel invincible at this point.

I am glad that world wide effort is being made to bring this to a permanent end. The social media is being used wisely and foreign governments have been trooping in to this effect. I plead that when you are done reading this article you say a prayer for the girls that all these efforts made to locate them shall not be in vain and they all be brought back alive to a better society.

Oluwaseyi Lawal