CHAPTER TWO:THE ESTABLISHMENT OF WOMEN ARISE FOR CHANGE INITIATIVE

2.1 Theory of Feminism and the Global Institutionalization of Gender Issues The Feminist theory is relevant to the study of women rights Non-Governmental Organization(NGO). This is in the sense that it is apposite to examine the theoretical and ideological development of gender equality and empowerment for the purpose of interpreting the activities of the subject matter under study, that is Women Arise. According to Tickner1 , Feminism opposes a culture in which women are treated differently from men and that, in that differennce of treatment, women are at a disadvantage1. As such, it assume that such treatment is cultural and thus possible to change and not simply the way the world is and must be. Feminism consists of activism , individually and in groups, to make personal and social change towards a more desirable culture2. A discussion of the history of feminism has been done elsewhere and hence need not delay this study3.It must be noted that, feminism had been categorized into three waves: the first wave being 1848-1920 when women vote the vote. It had at its goal the opening up of opportunities for women with the granting of suffrage. As such, discussions were centred on womens participation in politics and this led to an appraisal of the differences between men and women 4. However, the focus of feminism at this stage was on middle-class white women; the second wave in the 1960s and the 1970s saw a resurgence of feminist activity, including the womens liberation movement and the more mainstream feminist groups5. The dominant issues include sexuality, reproductive rights and gender equality. At this stage, feminism expanded to women of colour and it also had Marxist orientation.

The third wave of feminism was largely dominated by post-modernist and postcolonialist thinking6. The ideas of feminism has been successfully integrated into process of important international organizations like the United Nations, the World Health Organization among others. This integration of ideas could be largely credited to the works of the following important women conferences: Mexico City, 1985 Copenhagen, 1980 Nairobi, 1985 Beijing, 1995 The Mexico City Conference of 1985 helped to open the dialogue on women issues on a global scale. The conference had the objective of achieving: full gender equality and the elimination of discrimination against women; the integration and full participation of women in development; an increased contribution by wmen in the strengthening of world peace. As a result of the 1975 conference, the world Plan of Action, which was guidelines for governments and international community to be met by 1980 was adopted. In addition, the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women [INSTRAW] and the United Nations Develoment Fund for Women [UNIFEM] were established to provide the institutional framework for research, training and operational activities in the area of women and development were established7. On the whole, the 1975 Conference proved to be successful with the adoption in 1979, by the UN General Assembly of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women [CEDAW]. However despite the significant progress made, the 1980 Copenhagen Conference recognized the need for equal access to education, expansion of employment opportunities and adequate healthcare services for women 8. The conference

recommended stronger

national measures to ensure womens ownership and

control of property, as well as improvements in womens rights to inhereitance, child custody and loss of nationality. The Copenhagen 1980 also urged an end to stereotyped attitudes towards women9. The Nairobi Conference of 1985, perhaps constituted the watershed in the movement towards the globalization of the agitation for womens rights and gender equality. With fifteen thousand [15000], representatives of Non-Governmental organizations attending the parallel NGO Forum, the conference had been referred to as the brith of global feminism10. The Conference halted the treatment of womens equality as being an isolated issue. It emphasized that women issues encompassed every area of human activity. Consequently, the conference identified equality in social participation, equality in political participation and decision making as measures towards advancing women empowerment and equality11. The 1995 Beijing Conference shifted the focus from women to the concept of gender. As such, it submitted that the entire structure of society and all relations between men and women within it had to be re-evaluated. The Conference achieved the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and it identified twelve critical areas in need of intervention: Women and Poverty Education and training of women Women and health Violence against women Women and armed conflict Women and the economy Women in power and decision-making.

 Institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women. Human rights of women Women and the media The girl child12 On the whole, the Beijing 1995 achieved the introduction of gender mainstreaming which called for the re-examination of society in its entirety and its basic structure of equality13. Therefore, the development of feminist ideas and numerous agitations of several generations of feminists in the last century had largely led to the institutionalization of gender issues at the local and international level.

2.2 WOMEN RIGHTS NON- GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN NIGERIA This section has the purpose of examining howbeit in brief, a few women rights non- governmental organizations (NGO). It must be noted that NGO's are not-for profit organizations that are important aspect of the civil society14. The following NGO's shall be examined: 1. Women's Aid Collective (WACOL) 2. Project Alert on Violence Against Women (PROLERT) 3. Women's Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON) 4. Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) 5. Center for the Protection of the Abused (CEPA) 6. Action Aid Nigeria 7. Society for Family Health 8. Baobab for Women's Right 9. WOTCLEF

2.2.1 WOMEN'A AID COLLECTIVE (WACOL) WACOL was founded in November 1997 and it has its headquarters in Enugu 15. The mission of the organization is to assist women and young individuals whose rights are threatened or have been denied. The organization seeks to achieve its mission by providing legal protection for abused women and children; develop information and education materials and carrying out of advocacy work on women's human rights. According to WACOL Violence against women and girls is the most surreptitious form of violation of human rights of women, in particular the right to personal security, liberty and bodily integrity, including sexual and reproductive self determination16. WACOL carries out training, research advocacy shelter, legal and financial aid, intra-familial conflict resolution, information and library services. 2.2.2 PROJECT ALERT ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (PROLERT) PROLERT was established in 1999 to protect the rights of women and young girls. Its mission statement has it that to educate the society on the forms and prevalence of violence against women and render practical support to female victims of violence17. The areas of intervention are: Research and documentation Human rights education Support services programmes18 PROLERT also provides counseling services to traumatized women and in May 2001, the Sophia's place, the first battered women's shelter was established.

According to the organization, the facility has sheltered 580 women since its funding19. 2.2.3 WOMEN CONSORTIUM OF NIGERIA The Women Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON) is human rights organization that has been engaged in various programs and activities for the enforcement of the rights of women and children, especially the girl-child since 199520. the organization has the following focus areas: Human trafficking Children trafficking Women trafficking Gender violence Civic education Grass roots advocacy Political empowerment21 WOCON carries out the following functions: creation of public enlightenment on human trafficking. Advocacy. Through advocacy, WOCON had successfully influenced government policies on human trafficking. Setting up of income generating cooperative ventures for the financial empowerment of poor parents so that will not be tempted to give up their children to human traffickers. Human traffickers often tempt their victims with better life. Provision of assistance to victims and collaborating with NAPTIP on rehabilitation of the victims.

 Mobilization of community involvement, especially traditional rulers, community leaders, women groups and the youth, towards the prevention of human trafficking. Protection of victims22. 2.2.4 BREAST CANCER ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (BRECAN) BRECAN is not strictly women rights NGO but its mandate protecting the health of women by fighting the scourge of breast cancer had made it suitable for the present survey. BRECAN was established by Betty Anyawu- Akeredolu in 199723. Ms. Akeredolu, a breast cancer survivor was inspired by the strength gained from her experience of the disease. According to her:
My experience of sheltering loneliness, unavailability of information and group support coupled with 'tight-lip syndrome' and indifference surrounding the disease, so stirred me that I was inspired to do something that will bring about a positive and lasting change in the attitude of breast cancer victims themselves and the Nigerian society toward breast cancer and sufferers24.

The association carries out sensitization campaigns on the disease and provides emotional and information support to patients and family members at a weekly counseling session25. The association also use its 'jog for life' campaigns to create awareness on breast cancer. 2.2.5 CENTER FOR PROTECTION OF THE ABUSED (CEPA) CEPA was established in 2001 to create avenues of protecting and safeguarding vulnerable women from all forms of abuse. It makes use of advocacy, sensitization campaigns and rehabilitation programs26. CEPA organises research on various areas of abuse. Its advocacy work includes provision of legal services to victims of

abuse who can not afford legal services. And like PROLERT that was earlier discussed, CEPA also maintains shelter for the safety, rehabilitation and reintegration of victims of abuse. 2.2.6 ACTION AID NIGERIA Action Aid is an international NGO which commenced operations in Nigeria in 200027. Action Aid Nigeria has its operation spread across 26 states of the federation. Action- Aid seeks to help achieve enforcement in the following areas: Right to health Right to education Right to human security in conflict and emergencies Women's rights Right to just and democratic governance Right to food28. On the whole, Action Aid interventions especially its women's rights advocacy seeks 'to change unequal power relations between men and women in Nigeria with focus on increasing women's participation in decision making processes 29. 2.2.7 SOCIETY FOR FAMILY HEALTH (SFH) SFH, like BRECAN, is not strictly a women's rights organization but its intervention has direct positive impact on women health and reproduction. The SFH has designed programs towards: Malaria prevention and treatment HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment

 Maternal and child health care Family planning and reproductive health Clean and safe water systems. The SFH has the mission to empower Nigerians; particularly the poor and vulnerable to lead healthier lives30. 2.2.8 BAOBAB FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS BAOBAB for Womens Human Rights is a non-profit womens human rights organization composed of activists, lawyers, and social scientists. It works to improve Nigerian womens status under all forms of law, religious and secular, and promote universal human rights31. Founded in 1996 and operating out of Lagos, the organization raises awareness through its published materials and organizes workshops, campaigns, and events across its fourteen member states in Nigeria 32. BAOBAB includes a number of Muslim members and focuses explicitly on promoting readings of the Islamic tradition that are not misogynistic. BAOBAB has been particularly active in calling for more open and public discussion of the process of implementation of sharia law in northern Nigeria. BAOBAB partners with NGOs -Women Living Under Muslim Laws and the Women's Learning Partnership for Rights, Development and Peace33. 2.2.9 Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation [WOTCLEF] The Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation [WOTCLEF] is a programme established in 1999 by the wife of the former Vice President of Nigeria, Mrs. Titi Atiku34. The aim of the initiative was to stop all forms of human trafficking and child labour in Nigeria. WOTCLEF has carried out the following activities in the pursuit of its objectives: Carrying out of research on cases of human trafficking.

 Creating awareness and public enlightenment on the evil of human trafficking. In fact, the founder of WOTCLEF, Mrs. Titi Atiku has made led several awareness campaigns to many states of the federation. Withdrawal and rescue of trafficked victims and bringing about their

reintegration and reunion with parents and guardians. Collaborating with foreign Non-governmental organizations and individuals for the rescue of trafficked persons and receiving of deportee trafficked victims35. 2.3 WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS ENVIRONMENT IN NIGERIA AT THE FOUNDING OF WOMEN ARISE. This section shall examine the context of women human rights in Nigeria in 2003 when Women Arise was established. The areas to be examined are issues of inheritance, rights, political rights, educational rights. In a 2004 study, Onaolapo submitted that Women remain relegated to the lowest rung of political, social and cultural ladder in the society36. The table below shows the distribution of staff in federal civil service in 1988. Level D.G 17 16 15 14 Male 40 85 253 475 891 Female 6 8 17 51 93 Female % 15.0 9.4 6.7 10.7 10.4

13 12 10 9 8 05-07 03-04 01-02

1435 2289 3918 5354 7620 79873 99791 23590

202 376 848 1236 1851 8810 12524 7583

14.1 16.4 21.6 23.1 24.6 11.0 12.6 31.1

SOURCE: M.A Adelabu Impact of the socio-cultural and economic factors on secondary school Girls. Access to future leadership roles in Nigeria. Enhancing the participation of women in leadership role in Nigeria at the center for African settlement studies and Development (CASSAD) Ibadan, 1995, p.3 The table above shows the gender distribution of workers in the federal civil service. Although the figures are for the year 1988, however, it is show the the environment of employment of women in Nigeria. The table shows that all grade levels, women are less than 40 percent of the staff. The meaning of this situation is that more men have access to better paying and secured jobs at the federal civil service than women. Another area of discrimination is in the area of property and inheritance. Property and inheritance rights are regulated by Islamic law, customary law and statutory Acts. According to Onaolapo, women right to property varies under different

cultures in Nigeria37 and the exclusion of girl-child from education was still very common in Nigeria as at 2003. However, it is the area of maternal health that an insight into the rights enjoyed by women can be gotten. This is in line with the reasoning of a UNICEF spokes woman that maternal mortality levels are key indicators of the status of women in the society38. According to the United Nations Population Funds study from 1990 to 2012, Nigeria's maternal mortality rate increased from 470 maternal deaths to 6i30 deaths for 100,000 live births39. The study showed a finding from 181 countries which showed an annual decrease of 1.3% in maternal mortality ratio 40. However, Nigeria moved in the opposite direction of this global trend with a 1.4% increase each year from 473 out of 100,000 live births to 608 out of 100,000 by 200841. the chart below shows the maternal mortality trend in Nigeria between 2004 and 2010. Figure 2.1 Maternal Mortality Rate in Nigeria, 2004-2010

Source: United Nations Population Fund, Trends in Maternal Mortality Rate, 1990-2012
www.unfpa.org/webdav/site/.../Trends_in_maternal_mortality_A4-1.pdf accessed 15th November 2013

The data shown in figure 2.1 above depicts the movement of maternal mortality rate during the years 2004 and 2010. Poverty and deprivation had explained as the factors behind the low level of maternal health. In the opinion of Kelsey Harrison poverty greatly amplifies every other high risk factor for maternal mortality and morbidity from grotesque female oppression to maternal under-nutrition to inadequate medical and physical infrastructure42. Therefore, if the thesis of poverty is accepted as the background factor behind bad maternal health, it can also be said that the incidence of poverty may also be gendered. Therefore, given the background of the poor maternal health in the country and the disparity in the employment number of women in government service, it can be safely concluded that the women rights environment in the country is chaotic and represents a worsening situation of women dis-empowerment. The question in need of answer is that if the problem of bad political leadership is accepted as the root cause of gendered problems in the country, what is the role of NGOs like Women Arise in bringing about lasting solutions to the problems? This concern is also shared by Harrison when he opined that:
There are over 800 registered NGOs in Nigeria of which 100 operate in the field of gender and womens development and 50 deal with childrens issues. Their large presence would seem to indicate that action is being taken increasingly to make things better for our women and children. However, it is the coherence

of their action and their level of commitment that are open to question43.

2.4 PURPOSE AND FUNCTIONS OF WOMEN ARISE Women Arise for Change Initiative has as its coordinator, the person of Dr. Joe Okei Odumakin. Dr. Odumakin is a popular figure in the Nigerian human rights and civil society circles44. According to the Organization Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin traversed courageously where men fear to tread and she remained consistent without minding the hazards to her person in a society where critical voices are loathed by unjust system which rewards the crook and punishes the just44. Dr.

Joe was born in Zaria on July 4, she grew up in Ilorin and started her schooling at St. Barnabas Primary School, Ilorin where she obtained the first school leaving certificate45. She thereafter moved to Queen Elizabeth Secondary School, Ilorin where she passed her West Africa School Certificate. She pursued her A levels at the School of Basic Studies, Kwara State Polytechnic46. She later proceeded to

the University of Ilorin where she got a BA.ED English and Education in 1987. She returned to the same school and bagged her M.Ed in Guidance and counseling and her Ph.D (History and Policy of Education) in 199647. Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin has over 25years experience in human rights work in Nigeria. She cut her teeth in activism as the Secretary of Women in Nigeria (WIN), Kwara State from 1988 1991 and the Coordinator of Women in Nigeria (WIN), Kwara State branch 1991 1996; Chairperson, Rethink Nigeria (1987 1992) and Chairperson, Committee for the Defense of Human Rights, Kwara State branch (1990 1996)48. Her foray into human rights activism was at a period when the Babangida dictatorship was baring its fangs and locking up critical voices. According to her, she became one of the targets of the administration as she was arrested and detained for not less than seventeen times at different locations: Division B Police Station Ilorin; Police Headquarters Ilorin; SSS Headquarters

Ilorin; SSS HQ Maitama Abuja; Panti Police Station Lagos; Kirikiri Prisons in Lagos; and Alagbon Close in Lagos49.

But her spirit was not daunted and she became the Assistant General Secretary of CD in 1994, under the leadership of the late Dr. beko Ransome Kuti, at a time the battle against the annulment of June 12 1993 elections had become so fierce50. She was the General Secretary of the body from March 1996 July 29, 2006 (10 years) when she became the President on July 29, 2006, after the death of Dr. Ransome Kuti51. She is also the Executive Director of the Institute of Human Rights and Democratic Studies, the President of Women Arise for Change Initiative; Chairman, Task Force of the Citizen Forum, Spokesperson, Coalition of Civil Society Organizations and President, Centre for Change in Community Development and Public Awareness(CDP)52. Professor Wole Soyinka, nobel laurete and a member of the governing board of Women Arise For Change Initiative, described Dr. Odumakin in the following worrds:
I present to you a tireless fighter whose frail bearing, bellies an inner strength and resilience purpose, a veteran of affirmative marches, of crude arrests and detentions, baton charges and tear gas who have lent luster to the struggle for justice and human dignity, who remain an inspiration of men and women, old and young53.

Having examined the environment of women rights in Nigeria and the activism of the coordinator of the organization, it is necessary that this study examine the purpose of the organize, howbeit, in a critical dimension. Determining the purpose and functions of any organization or social group for that matter involves the task of examining the advertised functions as well as the latent functions. This is in line with the theory of functionalism as put forward by Robert K. Merton 54. According to Aliyu, Merton's functionalism has to do with function which connote the purpose of a particular thing in society55. And functions are manifest functions are those known to, and intended by, the participants in specific type of social

activity (while) latent functions are neither intended nor recognized (but) are consequences of the activity in which participants are unaware56. The manifest functions of Women Arise for change Initiative as advertised, by the group are as follows:

To monitor the implementation of Women's Rights for the attainment of equal status of women in all aspects of social political and economic development within the community and the nation at large.

To organise and establish resource centres from which individual and organisations committed to feminist goals can share space equipments facilities and information on women issue or matters.

To monitor and ensure the implementation of all commitments made by Government Bodies and Agencies through conventions charters regulations geared towards the welfare and enhancement of the status of women.

To educate the public on the rights of women and the means of enforcing such rights for the achievement of equality, development and peace.

To co-operate with National and International NGO's and agencies by networking and co-alligning for the achievement of specific goals for the welfare and development of women.

To set up temporary abode for distressed girls and women including battered women and to prepare such girls and women psychologically be counseling and other forms of therapy and education for a re-orientation towards attaining a better and more purposeful life in the society.

To work for peace Women's Rights and economic and social justice.57

Given the functions stated above, the question remains that what are the latent functions of Women Arise? The provision of answer to this question is the

rationale for this study. However, the task of the study can be further served through an examination of the existing theory of groups and organizations. Women Arise for Change Initiative is a non-governmental organization which sought to shape and influence public policy through advocacy58. As such, this organization, if not explicitly political, has economic and political ramifications. Thus, it is within this politico-economic ramifications that one can explain its organization of public protests, which shall be dealt with in later chapter. Stemming from the above, it can be submitted that Women Arise fits the type of organization that was theorized upon by Mancur Olson59. According to Olson, the purpose of an organization is the furtherance of common interest of group of individuals. In the words of Olson:
One purpose that is nonetheless characteristic of most organization and surely of practically all organizations with an economic aspect, is the furtherance of the interests of their members. To be sure, some organizations, may out of ignorance, fail to further their members' interests, and others may be enticed into serving only the ends of the leadership. But organization often perish, if they do nothing to further the interests of their members and this factor must severely limit the number of organizations that fail to serve their members60.

Therefore, the kinds of organization that Olson has in mind (and which Women Arise is not an exception) 'are those that are expected to further the interests of their members. For example: Labour unions are expected to strive for higher wages and better working conditions. Farm organization are expected to strive for favourable legislation for their members Cartels are expected to strive for higher price for participating firms The corporation is expected to further the interests of its stakeholders

 The state to further the common interests of its citizens61. In case of the last point, Olson was quick to logically point out that although in this nationalistic age, the state often has interests and ambitions, apart from those of its citizens. 2.5 Chapter Summary The chapter examined the theoretical evolution of the concepts of feminism and women rights in general. The study showed that the works of women rights organizations is largely rooted in the feminist ideas. The femiinsit ideas had become globalized and also integrated within the United Nations System during last century. It mus be noted that in spite of the awareness of gender discriminations and women rights, there is still a lot to be done. In the case of Nigeria, the women rights environment seems to suggest that Nigeria has not done much in the area of women empowerment. Consequently it is within this environment that the relevance of Non-governmental organizations like Women Arise can not be wished away. The problem that the subsequent chapter shall address is the role played Women Arise actualizing the principles of gender equality and women empowerment which generations of rights activists had fought for.

Endnotes 1. A. Tickner Gender in International Relations (NewYork: Columbia University Press, 1992) p 65 2. V.S Peterson and A.S Runyan, Global Gender Issues, 2nd Edition (Boulder, Coloroado: Westview Press, 1999) 3. Ibid 4. A. Tickner Gender in International Relations p.67 5. Ibid 6. Ibid 7. V.S Peterson and A.S Runyan, Global Gender Issues, p75 8. Ibid 9. Ibid 10.B. Nelson and N. Chowdhury Women and Politics Worldwide (Newhaven: Yale University Press, 1994) p 107 11.Ibid 12.Ibid

13. O. Folami, National Standard Civic Education for Senior Secondary Schools (Ibadan: Imperial Publishers Limited)p 89 14. O. Aladeselu A Directory of Non-Governmental Organizations in Nigeria (Lagos; Trustworth Associates, 2011) p 23 15.Ibid 16.Ibid 17.Ibid 18.Ibid 19.Ibid 20.Ibid 21.Ibid 22.Ibid 23.Ibid 24.Ibid 25.Ibid 26.Ibid 27.Ibid 28.Ibid 29.Ibid 30.Ibid 31.Ibid 32.Ibid 33.Ibid 34.Ibid and O. Folami, National Standard Civic Education for Senior Secondary Schools p 212 35.Ibid

36.F. O Onaolapo, Inhibitions of Nigerian Women in Leadership Roles: Foudational Issues The Journal of History and Diplomatic Studies Volume 1, 2004 37.Ibid 38. Katey Grusovin in pictures-fighting maternal mortality

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/07/south_asia_fighting _maternal_mortality/html/3.stm accessed 15th November, 2013 39.United Nations Population Fund, Trends in Maternal Mortality Rate, 19902012 www.unfpa.org/webdav/site/.../Trends_in_maternal_mortality_A4-1.pdf
accessed 15th November 2013

40.Ibid 41.Ibid 42. Kelsey Harrison The Struggle to reduce high maternal mortality in Nigeria African Journal of Reproductive health Volume 13, number 3, September, 2009 (and also Kelsey Harrison, Maternal Mortality in Nigeria: The Real issues African Journal of Reproductive Health volume 1, Number 1, March 1997) 43.Ibid. 44.Women Arise for Change Initiative, 2012 Annual Report (Lagos: Trustworth Associates, 2013) p 39 45.Ibid 46.Ibid 47.Ibid 48.Ibid 49.Ibid 50.Ibid 51.Ibid

52.Ibid 53.Ibid 54.R.K Merton, Social Theory and Social Structure -revised edition (Glencos: Free Press, 1957) 55.N. Aliyu, Sociological Theories in M.O Shoremi, P.A Edewor, O.A Olutayo, The Science of Society: A Sociological Introduction (Ago-iwoye: Centre for Sandwich Programmes, 1999) 56.Ibid 57.Women Arise for Change Initiative, 2012 Annual Report , p 35 58.Ibid 59. M. Olson, The Logic of Collective Action: Public Goods and the Theory of Groups (Cambridge: Havard University Press, 1965) p 45 60.Ibid 61.Ibid 62.Ibid