"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