THE COIN: A FEMINIST METAPHOR
The Oasis Reporters
June 6, 2023
By Julie Umukoro
Preamble
God created MAN and thought it was no good for him to be alone; so He created him a companion and the Bible tells us that he, the man, named her WOMAN.
This suggests that the subject (woman) is a type of MAN. You may ask which type? Simply put the “WO” type.
At this point, let us attempt a reading of the coinage, woman. What is W-O-MAN if not Wife-Of-MAN!
Reading further, the question that ought to be asked is, can a WIFE be without a WOMB? The answer is NO.
It follows therefore that W-O-MAN is indeed Womb-Of-MAN or put succinctly, she is the man with a womb. What this reveals is that a woman is also a man differentiated only by the womb.
The deduction from the forgoing is that the union of Man and Woman as one indivisible entity is imperative to assert the class “human beings”.
Like the tortoise and its shell, man and woman are inseparable for no man can do without his womb.
At this juncture, the analogy of the coin vividly comes alive. The coin has two faces, each side different from the other but remains one coin irrespective of the side under one’s gaze at any point.
Man and woman have jointly been described as companions, partners, helpmates, and each to the other is a spouse or better half .
Introduction
The following binary terms: ‘feminine/masculine’, or ‘female/male’, or ‘woman/man’ or girl/boy’, are so ascribed to establish marked biological differences that make each gender type unique. Though endowed with such inherent contrasting attributes, each sex complements the other in ways that assert existential interdependence.
Therefore, any act, under whatever guise, that privileges or denigrates one sex to the detriment of the other, simply put, is a contravention of the natural order and so undermines nature’s scheme for peaceful coexistence of the sexes.
Such contravention is rife in patriarchal societies where the conceptual vision of egalitarianism is so much more a utopian ideal.
It is remarkable to note that the pairs of terms listed above to denote gender types among Homo sapiens differ markedly from other opposing pairs such as ‘good/bad’ or ‘life/death’ or ‘peace/war’ where the alternating pairs belong to opposite ends that are mutually liked or disliked.
In other words, the holistic vision of the pairs that denote the two sexes of Homo sapiens earlier listed does not endorse the preferential acceptance of one component against the other.
Unfortunately, the cultural praxis guiding male and female relationship in Africa, particularly Nigeria, runs counter to the inherent notion that no preferential treatment be given either of the sexes.
Because of the patriarchal nature of most African societies, the choice child is the male and the usual argument is that the girl-child would in due course be married off and that only the male remains as backbone of the family and guarantees the perpetuation of the family name.
For this reason, African men, though obsessed with having a great number of children of both sexes, would rather have a greater number of male children; and would more likely give preferential treatment to the males in several ways.
These would include: unequal opportunities for educational attainment, in capacity building and in the institution of role stereotypes delimiting females from venturing into certain fields. All these invariably lead to the tendency of the male to denigrate or lord it over the female; and by and by, become fully groomed to deliberately undermine her personality and indeed act with impunity in matters concerning her.
Feminism is a female-oriented advocacy agenda; a doctrine geared toward addressing, in its totality, female marginalization and the unequal distribution of opportunities between men and women.
From its little beginnings in America in the 1960s, the feminist movement has indeed spread its tentacles the world over, with the overall mission of bringing to a halt the tendencies toward the suppression of the woman on the one hand, and the promotion of a befitting portrayal of her social image on the other.
However, it has, like an octopus, assumed varying shapes and forms with changes in nomenclature here and there and with varying tags.
Whatever the tag, be it feminism, womanism (Walker, 1983), or motherism (Acholonu, 1995), they all, irrespective of the ideological posture or stance, are concerned with the notion of feminine subjugation and sexism.
Thus, in varied contexts, and from diversified perspectives, the ideology continues to explore the point of view of women in all facets of life.
Feminism is basically a social struggle in favour of egalitarianism in human societies.
Quite a number of females have in different ways challenged this and in their bid for self-determination, have had to chart new ways of addressing the strangulating forces of patriarchy and so redress the battered image of womanhood in a world that is largely patriarchal.
This reawakening of interest in the promotion of the feminine ideals has assumed greater pertinence today, for it is one of the cardinal objectives of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
This reveals that the Feminist Movement has come of age and has become a force that can no longer be ignored.
The vision of the MDGs pact of Year 2000 includes, among others, a striving to achieve completely maternal wellbeing (health), literacy, (women education) and equality of the sexes by 2015! This is 2023, two decades and three years since the summit of 2000, and about eight years beyond the 2015 deadline set for the accomplishment of the defined obligations of MDGs for women.
The questions to address therefore are whether or not we have achieved complete maternal well-being, attitudinal change toward the girl-child education and equality of the sexes.
The task before us today is to appraise the current situation in order to ascertain the impact of the MDG’s vision of year 2000, approximately, twenty three years ago.
For this purpose, this discussion focuses on Delta State, particularly the Ndokwa people.
In the last eight years of the administration of His Excellency, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa of Delta State, there has been concerted efforts on the part of the State Government and philanthropists alike, to make visible and impactful contributions in the health sector.
Remarkable in this instance is the setting up of Primary Health Centres (PHC) and sickle cell clinics in all the twenty-five Local Government Areas of Delta State.
Beyond the state government efforts there are very many offerings of health outreaches by different Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Socio-cultural bodies, Corporate organisations and/or individuals.
Like the health sector, so much has also been accomplished in the area of education to encourage and facilitate greater interest in learning and skills acquisition, the impact of which has reflected a massive growth in the rank and file of womanhood in Delta State.
Today, nearly all tertiary institutions in Delta State have recorded a greater number of admissions for girls above boys in a number of disciplines and in overall population.
Talking about the third point of the MDG goals – equality of the sexes – there has also been a perceptible positive difference in the early image of womanhood, say of the early 1960s as the recognition accorded girls and women has steadily gained ascendance.
This is reflected in the geometric leap of the increasing number of girls being sent to school nowadays. Indeed the image of today’s woman in Delta State (Nigeria) has grossly improved.
Please permit me to restrict my talk to the woman question and to see this appreciable development through the image of Rt. Hon. Dame (Chief, Dr. Mrs.) Esther Uduehi, our mother, for whom we are gathered to celebrate.
On her journey through the rough terrain of education in the 1960s, at which period women under patriarchal settings were denigrated, she made it to school and in flying colours too! One is quite astonished at her ability to weather the storm knowing how difficult it was at the time for a woman to be sent to school.
Without doubt, in her quest for self-actualisation and empowerment, she would have faced a number of hellish conditions as a woman but she survived them.
Her success story may not be divorced from an indomitable determination accompanied by some daring and unwavering courage on her part.
Following the path of education, she had read up to the doctorate (Ph.D) level in her field of choice, becoming thus, adequately prepared to favourably compete for the top-notch jobs hitherto the playing space of the male-folk.
At this point, a clear statement had been made that capability and worth go beyond sex.
Our role model here, Chief Dr. Mrs. Esther Uduehi, had proven her mettle by daring to burst the ceiling and her success has significantly revealed that outstanding qualities, irrespective of male or female factors are always accorded deserving dignity, merit and accolades without reservation.
Having thus, made a solid statement that women can grow to become people of great quality, Chief, Dr. Mrs. Uduehi is a living legend.
At different times she has held high-ranking positions, controlling whole departments and workforces of both men and women.
As a high-flight administrator and educationist, our mother and role model was once upon a time, a principal of a secondary school, a sole administrator of the Bendel Broadcasting Service of Nigeria! A local government Chairman in Orhionmwon Local Government of Bendel State, Special adviser to the President of Nigeria on National Assembly matters, Chairman on the National Commission for Mass Literacy/ Adult and Non Formal Education and so on.
Who says women are the weaker vessel? Of course we concede that men are usually physically stronger than women.
This is so because God created everything in the world on a structure of binary opposites so that each may complement the other.
In spite of their individual peculiarity, men and women are specially endowed in different ways and wired to naturally achieve their purposes seamlessly irrespective of sex.
Do you know that our mother and role model whom we celebrate here, once vied for the position of Governor of Delta State?
Oh yes, this goes to emphasise that roles and leadership functions are never gender specific.
Do you also know that our mother and role model also got appointed only recently (2021) to join the search committee for the President of our nation on the national platform of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) of Nigeria?
In that team, she was the only Ndokwa person and more significantly, a woman and indeed the only woman in the group!
Current thoughts and trends have created a new dimension and perspective of the age long feminine claim that men marginalize them.
The woman of today must stop running down their male counterparts over the issue of their being marginalized.
Men have not tied chains on women; rather they have psychologically chained themselves.
Every girl and by extension, every woman must make deliberate effort to better herself in whatever sphere she finds herself.
Self-empowerment, propelled by determination and a deliberate effort to get it right, is all that she would need.
With the presence of the internet, information, knowledge and learning come almost ready made, so what more can anyone ask? It is never too late.
Adult education classes are ongoing to at least provide the basic needs of reading, writing and interacting with other members of the society without feeling diminished in anyway.
We all cannot make it through the education line but whatever line you choose to pursue, aim at the apex…be among the best.
Gone are the days that people blame others for their lack of progress.
Women must stop heaping blames on the masculine gender.
The world is fast changing and more and more men are becoming better acquainted and positive about the need for a peaceful coexistence of the sexes. Thus, today’s man has become more accommodating and less chauvinistic.
Knowing full well that a woman groomed to reach the climax of her potential like her male counterpart would be better equipped to play her natural role as helpmate, the men of today would rather facilitate the growth of womanhood.
As we continue to have more men teaming up with women to build and rebuild our world, the few who, perhaps are still living in the past, would eventually be transformed.
Men and women form one indivisible entity and are complementary to one another. They are meant to be and live together as one, not pitched against one another.
Feminism should only be remembered as a movement by which men have become more understanding of the feminine challenges and not a word that gets either of them charged and poised for a battle.
Men and women, despite their biological differences and the reality of living in separate bodies, are united as one.
Like the tortoise and his shell, both are inseparable for no man would jettison his “womb” which indeed is his shell.
The coin has two different faces but no side takes preeminence in proclaiming the coin as one and the same.
For those who still live in the past, and so hold still to the view that men are the albatross of women, you must think again some other excuse which may yet be tenable.
I will conclude with Okot p’Bitek’s poem below, a sound and clear advice to women to dispense with old ideas, which are like chains stopping them from moving forward. The only way, the poet warns, is to break the chain! Go ahead Women! Shatter the glass ceiling!
Sister
Woman of Acoli land
Throw down that pot
With its water,
Let it break into pieces
Let the water cool
The thirsty earth;
It is taboo
To throw down water pots
With water in them,
But taboos must be broken,
Taboos are chains
Around the neck,
Chains of slavery;
Shatter that pot,
. Shatter taboos, customs, ,
Traditions…
Listen
My sister from Ankole
And you from Rwanda
And Burundi
Here’s a hammer
Smash those pots
Of rotten milk
Burst open the door
Come forth into daylight
Beat up that old woman
Who pumps you full of milk
(131-133)
By Julie Umukoro.
(Professor of Theatre Arts, University of Port Harcourt).
BEING A KEYNOTE ADDRESS DELIVERED ON 30TH MAY 2023 (2nd Annual Lecture) IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 76TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION OF RT. HON. DAME ESTHER KELICHA UDUEHI
REFERENCES
Acholonu, Obianuju Catherine. (1995). Motherism: The Afrocentric Alternative to Feminism. Owerri: Afa Publications.
P’ Bitek, Okot. (1984). Song of Lawino and Song of Ocol. Ibadan, Nigeria: Heinemann Educational Books (Nig.) Ltd.
Umukoro, Julie. (2006) “Drama in the Vanguard of the Feminist Movement in Nigeria” in Ibadan Journal of Theatre Arts. Pub. Department of Theatre Arts, University of Ibadan: Nigeria. Vol 1 No 1.
____________. (2017) “Phallocentric Oppressors: Amina, Belema and Tracy – Three Battered Women ‘Behind’ Okoh’s Closed Doors” in Festchrift for Julie Okoh. Eds. Asigbo Alex, John Yeseibo and Sunday Edum.
Walker, Alice. (1983). In Search of Our Mother’s Gardens: A Womanist Prose. London: The Women’s Press Ltd.
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