The recent meeting of the World Bank Group (WBG) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Lima, Peru, revealed that girls in the rural part of Nigeria are married off at the average age of 17. Zainab Hamit wished her story was any different from this ill that seems to be defining rural Nigeria and the life of a girl child. But she’s not that fortunate – her story is heartbreaking. Zainab hails from Maiduguri, Borno state, but today resides in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, with her parents. Like many young girls of her age, she was exposed to primary education and went on to the Model Girls Secondary School till junior secondary class three (JSS 3). After her JSS 3, her father pulled her out of school, forcing her into an early marriage at the age of 16 to a total stranger. For Zainab, love was a luxury, care was too much to ask, and compassion was nowhere to be found. She became bed mates with a strange fellow, who cared less about her personal aspirations. He could barely care for himself; he clearly lacked the means to cater for a family. Zainab resisted her father’s decision to get her married to a total stranger, but the only alternative was to kick her out of the house with no regard for her humanity.
This Non-governmental organization addresses issues relating to women and children (especially girls), the most vulnerable people. Concerns are dealt with as touching sustained livelihood for women and children. Matters regarding rape, child abuse, violence towards women and children, FGM - are set at top priority. 24 hour Help lines are available, seminars and workshops are organised and welfare programs are provided for women, children and widows.
10 November
"MYSOGYNOIR"
London nightclub Dstrkt was accused of turning away two young black women for being “too fat” and “too dark”, prompting a swift, strident response on social media. The club was quick to deny the allegations and the council equally quick to express its concern. News outlets went into overdrive, to find “voices” to give the incident context. In the Guardian, one writer explained that young black people often resort to unlikely methods to get into certain clubs – the kind, like Dstrkt in Soho, that aren’t really about the music anyway – while in the Independent, DJ Edward Adoo discussed the pervasive racism of London’s nightclubs as a matter of fact.But what is alleged to have happened at Dstrkt isn’t just about race; the accused promoter is black. It’s about gender too. Discrimination, prejudice and unchecked fear aimed specifically at black women now has a name: misogynoir.
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