Real-Sized Women!

Voluptuous, zaftig, full-figured, zoomba, big, even ‘fat’ women are greatly appreciated in Nigeria. I love watching the images projected by Nigerian media, from news anchors to lead actors in Nollywood novellas to commercials, of women who aren’t skinny.  You know the type—the ones who look as if their arm would come out of the socket if it were pulled too hard!  They are full-figured, healthy and confident!  Not all of the images are like this, much of the programming for younger generations and many of the music videos appear to mimic western music industry stylings-complete with skinny dancers.

Though standards of beauty differ from tribe to tribe, the appreciation of a well rounded female body seems to be a common thread.  Of course, there are women who seek more ‘Madison Avenue/western” type beauty-based on the idea that one can never be too thin.  And, I won’t get into the issue of hair here (wigs, synthetic hair and hair pieces are the norm), or the plethora of “skin whitening’ products in the marketplace, but in my opinion, subliminally the images of success are tied to those manufactured in the West.

A couple of guys I work with were discussing ‘desirable’ traits of women for marriage.  (I don’t know how they got on this topic) This is where I learned more about the “fattening rooms” that exist among the Efik in Calabar.  Young women, in preparation for marriage are secluded a special location where they are taught the art of being a good wife.  They are well fed and physical activity is minimized so weight can be added to their frame.  Other cultures around the world have similar processes.  As long as they are healthy, women should feel confident about being the size they are naturally, not struggling to meet unrealistic images.

A young Nigeria women posted an article entitled Skinny vs. Fat  on her blog.  It’s an interesting perspective on the topic. Check it out......                                                                                                                Skinny vs. Fat : An African Woman on the Politics of Feminine Beauty  

Show Them the Money!

Nigeria’s reputation of being a country filled with corruption is not exaggerated based on the almost daily accounts in local newspapers.  Elected and appointed officials are referred to “big men” and “big women” not just for the power wielded in their positions, but also for the material wealth gained through a system of skimming contracts.  Whether it’s the power system, oil related industries, building and supplying resources for schools, or teacher appointments, often there are multiple middle-men.  As a result, there is no place in the country that has constant non-generator assisted power unless Naira changes hands. The cost of oil products and by- products is extremely high and some teachers share their salaries and stipends with those officials who assist them in gaining a position at a school or at a workshop.

The system  is a sad  and growth limiting misuse of great human and natural resources.

But, beyond the systemic corruption, everyone, it seems, expects to get paid for almost everything they do! Public officials who attend meetings, for example with the NGO I work with, expect to get paid a transportation fee by the agency each time they attend a meeting, paid to attend workshops, etc.  (A transportation allowance is paid by the state or local government which they represent )Teachers get paid to attend professional development sessions or meetings they attend representing their schools. (I am an advocate for better compensation and support for teachers, but my position is a little different  about  how its done here)

My greatest frustration (and the reason I am writing about the situation) came while providing a series of professional development workshops for faculty members of the College of Education. Literacy rates in this state among both children and adults are among the lowest in the country.  More than 50% of basic education teacher are not qualified, that is they don’t have the minimum national certification to teach. More than half of those certified are not competent! It stands to reason that a project focused on strengthening the states’ education system would focus on producing better qualified teachers.

In this case, the target is pre-service teacher who will begin their teaching practice at the end of the year and the faculty of the Primary Education Studies Department.  The faculty appeared very enthusiastic about the process of goal setting and developing a work plan to meet those goals. The other part of the process  was instruction on learner centered instructional strategies using literacy and numeracy modules developed by the project,  Lecturers were being asked to infuse the information on learner centered strategies in their instruction.  Copies of the guides will be provided for the students to use in their teaching practice and beyond.

It was when the instructors asked if they were going to get paid to institute these processes that would modernize  instruction and potentially produce better teachers from their college, that I had to take a step back. I had to realize the systemic expectations of the culture with which I was engaged and that the change that is needed will take time.  The answer to the question of compensation was no! An appeal about the bigger picture of this process was made. Hopefully those who buy into the larger vision will be rewarded in other ways.

Time on my hands--Not!

Hmm. Four blog posts today! One might assume I have a lot of free time on my hands rather than three workshops this week to prepare for. Can you say procrastination? Ok time to get back to work :-)

COE Azare

Since the beginning of May, I have traveled to Azare once a week to work with the Primary Education Studies Department on goal setting and infusing learner centered strategies into their instruction of teachers in training.  Our primary target for the stepped down training are students who will begin their student teaching in the fall. I think I've written about the dire straits in which education in this part of the country exists--the children can't read, classrooms are seriously overcrowded, particularly in rural area; the majority of teachers are not certified to national standards, and a large number of those certified are not competent.  Projects funded by USAID, DFID, UNESCO,the World Bank and the Federal Government and others are working towards meeting United Nations eight MDG's (millennium development goals), including universal basic education for all.  Of course, quality basic education is what's needed.

Entrance to my office on campus

Office will become a resource center for the PES Department

Groups work to prioritize goals and develop time lines

The Head of Department (HOD) was away for this session. Department is understaffed by half!

Bootlegged Everything

Throughout Nigeria a problem exists regarding counterfeit products and their impact on the health, economy and wellbeing of the society. A national campaign including a soap opera warning of the potential harmful effects of counterfeit drugs, drinks—you name the product, has been mounted. There is a significant problem with items being duplicated here or imported from India, China and other sources. Now I’ve purchased a counterfeit ‘designer’ bag, DVD and CD or two at home. But as far as I know, none of them was life threatening. 

Bootlegged food and drug items present the greatest concerns.  Lives have been lost and long term illnesses have resulted from people unknowingly taking copycat drugs which have no potency or bottled drinks made with contaminated water.  Every few weeks there is a news report on a raid or bust on some counterfeit product.  A doctor said great strides have been made in this regard over the past few years. NAFDAC’s (National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control) drug labeling, import surveillance and testing procedures have greatly reduced the number of fake drugs in the market. Generally , he added more expensive drugs are not counterfeited.

Difference in price and taste!

Then there are the products with look-alike names and labels as brand name products.  Buyer beware!

Medical Care: The Good, The Interesting, The Dusty

I have had the occasion to visit hospitals in three states here in Northern Nigeria- Bauchi, Kano and Sokoto.  Each state, Bauchi the most recent, has a teaching hospital where according to our insurance provider, a higher standard of care is given. Medical care and facilities here are different in many ways than at home. Some differences are cultural, others local procedures and requirements, lack of adequate power and sanitation, and others, I just don’t have a clue as to why.

Bedside manner and ease of access is definitely a plus for the medical personnel with whom I have had to interact. Of course, since there are no landlines in these parts, one must call the doctor, physical therapist, radiologist, pharmacist, nurse on his/her handset (cell phone)..and they answer! You’re not forced to cue for office visits when a phone discussion can address the problem.

Punctuality is a concern, but its best to be in place before the stated hours because the time of your appointment matters less than the time of your arrival. Get there early and make the cue. I’ve also learned the cue protocol whether at the clinic, bank  or store—just ask who is last in line (usually there is no actual line, just people standing around, but the system works).

Privacy as we know it back home does not exist. I have been in exam rooms where as many as three doctors are seeing patients. Medical staff, nurses, clerks and sundry individuals are in and out of the room. Just knock on the door and enter (you don’t have to wait for permission). Examinations, consultations, related and unrelated problem solving all occur at the same time—it’s amazing. HIPPA infractions abound!

Hygiene and sanitation are different. Sometimes exam gloves are worn, but take your wipes for tables and other equipment. Many places have jalousie windows and are open to the elements so there’s always a layer of dust on everything!

Finally, the cost of medications is very attractive. There is some concern about fake drugs, but certified international drug brands are much less expensive.

"Girls and Women’s Education: It is a RIGHT—Make it RIGHT" Global Action Week

The theme for the 2011 Global Action Week Celebration is no more appropriate to any other developing region I have visited than northern Nigeria. Women and girls occupy the bottom rungs of this complex society whose traditional cultural and religious mores and dire economic conditions conscript women to lives of illiteracy and second class citizenship.  Girl children are denied education and often sent out on the street to ‘hawk’ or sell goods to help support their family or are married off for the dowry.  Marriage is arranged for girls as young as 12, 13 and 14 years of age as a first, second, third or fourth wife in the Islamic community and sometimes just as early in the Christian community. 

In the two states in which this project operates Sokoto and Bauchi between 34% and 39% of girls attend primary school. About 88% of girls between the ages of 6 and 15 are illiterate.  According to the World Health Organization, the HIV/AIDS rate in Nigeria is one of the highest in the world with Nigeria accounting for about 10% of world wide rate of infected persons. Of course the rate among women and girls is soaring.  A number of national and international organizations have health and education programs aimed at shifting attitudes toward education for girls.

I’ve had a number of rewarding experiences during my stay in Nigeria; among the most rewarding was the opportunity to participate in one of the Global Action Week activities coordinated by one of the project’s state partners.  Helen, Desk Officer for CSACEFA (Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All) planned a series of community engagements around the international theme.  Women from all walks of life were organized in teams and went to schools in towns and villages to share personal stories about how education has impacted their lives.  I told Helen I wanted to support this effort in any way possible.

We arrive at Yilwa: Anita, Maryam, Helen , Ernestine,
the reporter and driver Ephraim

 The presentations had to be delayed as a result of continued unrest in the state.  Project vehicles were still being restricted to the compound, so ‘car hires’ had to be arranged in order to carry out events. I was not able to attend the first presentation in Alkaleri, but was pleasantly surprised when I was asked to attend the program in the village of Yilwa in the Dass local government, instead of another meeting.  One hired car was not adequate for 6 adult passengers, including a local reporter, so Helen decided to take her personal vehicle which was driven by a project driver.  The village was a little more than an hour’s drive from our office.  We stopped along the road to pick up Ernestine, a founding member of the Women's Commission Club of Bauchi. (It's so cool. They wear specially designed wrappers that include their logo.

We veered off the main road and travel along a narrow dirt road, past farming plots, mango groves and through a wooded area before coming to the village.  A crowd had gathered in anticipation of our visit.  Though the program targeted 45-50 girls, it seemed most of the village turned out for the event.

We meet the tribal elders

First, protocols had to  be observed. We were greeted by the School’s Headmaster and local government representative and then taken to greet the traditional ruler. ( I was a little embarrassed.Yilwa is a traditional Islamic village. Women are required to cover their head and shoulders.)  Many other times I had carried a shawl in my backpack in case it was needed for situations such as this, but not that day! And neither of the other ladies had an extra.  Fortunately, understanding and compassion is often given to foreigners for such cultural lapses.

Seeking help for my introduction in Hausa

We introduced ourselves and Helen provided information on the program and thanked the ruler for accommodating the program.   

Maryam makes presentation to LGA official

The presentation took place outside. Desks and chairs from the school were placed in a semi-circle under a large tree for the guests, others stood around to complete the circle. Maryam, a staff member who works with the OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Children) component and a title holder in her community, was the main speaker.

Skit: Family did not believe in education for girls

Women from the Yilwa community perform skit

 In addition to our presentations, women and girls from the village performed a skit they had put together.  It was a powerful story of two families, one who encouraged their daughter to continue her education; the other against education for girls beyond primary and focused on the economic support the girl needed to provide to help the family.  The educated girl married well and brought gifts back to her family while the economic situation of the undereducated girl and her family did not change significantly.

Helen and reporter interview student

After the program, girls who are still in school and some who had dropped out were interviewed about their thoughts on the value of education plans. Realizing they had done a disservice to their daughters by limiting their education, some older women were in tears after the program. Yet it is evident that traditional roles for women are slowly changing within the context of the cultural and religion.  Educated women make better wives because they are more capable of taking care of the home and children, is the focal message.

 Global Action Week

CSACEFA