Kenny Opinion
Olori of Ife has to understand that things have changed
The Olori of Ife should lean more on the side of modernity rather than tradition that holds women back.
Last week the Olori of Ife Olori Wuraola-Zynab Ogunwusi made several statements about gender equality when speaking at the Emerging Women’s Forum, in Maryland, USA.
The Olori clearly stated that she is not a believer in gender equality and women shouldn't aspire to be equal with men but understand that they have their own pivotal roles.
The Ooni of ife and his wife, Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi(LIB)
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"I am not a huge fan of gender equality. We can’t be equal, We cant be men. We have our roles to play here, a very pivotal one" said Olori Wuraola-Zynab Ogunwusi.
She further stated that "the
modern pattern of feminism has succeeded in limiting women of the
heights they could reach; gender equality is unrealistic. We can never
be equal with men, we are here for a great purpose, we have our roles to
play we are powerful and we are a force of nature."
Pulse Olori of Ife (Bella Naija )
Now while I believe
in the freedom of expression and opinion, I disagree with the Olori. It
seems that Her Royal Highness is confusing gender role and gender
equality. Men and women have different roles to play especially in the
family. What a man can do, a woman can't do and vice-versa. This doesn't
mean that women are not equal to women. Her statement of women not
being equal to women is backward and doesn't help the cause of women in
Nigeria a bit.
There are millions of Nigerian
women who are being held back in their jobs and careers because they are
women. They are not treated like their male counterparts and they don't
get the same pay as them just because they are female. This is wrong
and in this period women in Nigeria need a powerful voice to back them
to help them achieve their dreams. The Olori has just done the opposite
of that. Her statement has further helped the patriarchy system that has
chained many women with archaic beliefs.
Olori Wuraola, Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto(Linda Ikeji)
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As
expected the Olori's statements has infuriated a lot of women in the
country. Actress Uche Jombo has reacted to her statement by posting her
thoughts about her speech in her Instagram page. "Let's be clear
#ujlovers. Gender roles/ responsibilities and gender equality are
different things, the fact that some people think / believe there are
the same is why #genderequalitybill didn't go through #Nigeriansenate.
"With
or without the bill there are women (which i am one of) that will
succeed regardless but the equity fight is NOT about this group. Its
about that uneducated woman in her village thinking her life is over
because she has 'only' girls...its about that little girl understanding
'working twice as hard because she's a girl' ...is a goal not her only
option ... i should know i am an Abiriba girl, was told thousand things
i can't DO because i am a girl...(. look where we are NOW empowering
men and women)
"Learn more about gender
equity guidelines for free online. FYI let's not mistake gender roles
for gender equality. I believe she was clearly talking about roles /
responsibilities as a woman hence my repost about learning the right
meaning of Gender equality."
The Ooni of Ife holding the report
Her response
is articulate and straight to the point. There are millions of Nigerian
women and girls that need an enabling society to help them achieve
their dreams and goals. More powerful women in the country should come
out and fight for them.
The Ooni of Ife has
showed positive signs that he wants to be a modern king and help his
people tackle the challenged and realities of today. The Olori should
also do so and not push Nigerian women further into the dark times.
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