Experts canvass education for social
liberation
liberation
By Uji Abdullahi Iliyasu
Abuja
Some experts have canvassed for more education and
orientation as only way to liberate women and men in the society. This was part
of their efforts in celebrating women potential in the country.
orientation as only way to liberate women and men in the society. This was part
of their efforts in celebrating women potential in the country.
A professor of English and Literary Studies in VERITAS
University, Monique Ekpong stated this at the presentation of her book entitled:
‘Feminist Consciousness’ Wednesday in Abuja.
University, Monique Ekpong stated this at the presentation of her book entitled:
‘Feminist Consciousness’ Wednesday in Abuja.
Ekpong said that the feminist consciousness serves as
a significant contribution to the celebration of women’s potential, a
demonstration of women’s concern for all the oppressed and an appeal for the
demolition to all oppressive institutions.
a significant contribution to the celebration of women’s potential, a
demonstration of women’s concern for all the oppressed and an appeal for the
demolition to all oppressive institutions.
The book, she said, is a call for the de-colonisation
of the mind from patriarchy.
of the mind from patriarchy.
“It is indeed, an in-depth analysis of the ‘new women’
in the African and African-American societies.
in the African and African-American societies.
“The society did not seem to recognise women and also
find out that even women themselves accepted completely that secondary
position.
find out that even women themselves accepted completely that secondary
position.
“They did not see anything wrong with it, they believe
that it is their culture and tradition’’ she said.
that it is their culture and tradition’’ she said.
She added that her intention for writing Feminist
Consciousness was to make the society aware that women should not be trampled
on and to make women realise they are human being.
Consciousness was to make the society aware that women should not be trampled
on and to make women realise they are human being.
“It seems that we made a progress before but it looks
that now we are retrogressing in the society.
that now we are retrogressing in the society.
“I want women to accept themselves as human being,
they should ask for what is their right and society should learn to give women
equal right with men.
they should ask for what is their right and society should learn to give women
equal right with men.
“Men seem to have misgiving about feminist issue, we
want men to re-orientate their mentality and think feminist because we want
them to appreciate women, accept that they are fellow human being.”
want men to re-orientate their mentality and think feminist because we want
them to appreciate women, accept that they are fellow human being.”
Dean, College of Humanity, Professor Gabriel Egbe,
said that the book is an attempt to bring public consciousness to the plights
of women in African culture.
said that the book is an attempt to bring public consciousness to the plights
of women in African culture.
Egbe, in reviewing the book, revealed the author’s position that education is a powerful tool for
women’s liberation in Africa.
women’s liberation in Africa.
He said the author believes, through education, the
women will not only be empowered but will be given the opportunity to be what
God has destined them to be.
women will not only be empowered but will be given the opportunity to be what
God has destined them to be.
“Men also need education to understand that women are
not lesser human being and both women and men are created by God not to compete
but to complement each other.
not lesser human being and both women and men are created by God not to compete
but to complement each other.
“Education is the means to liberate men and women, and
women should seek all opportunity they can to educate themselves and empower
themselves.”
women should seek all opportunity they can to educate themselves and empower
themselves.”