African women should not subscribe to Western feminist ideologies —Ifeyinwa Ebubedike-Ndulue

Ifeyinwa Ebubedike-Ndulue is a postgraduate researcher at the Institute of Education, University of Worcester, United Kingdom. She is also a member of British Educational Leadership Management and Administration Society (BELMAS), UN Women, UK and American College Personnel Association (ACPA). In this interview by TAYO GESINDE, she speaks on her passion for the girl-child and women empowerment.

Why I studied education

Studying education as first degree was not my initial thought; I earlier wanted to read accounting. As a child, I was drawn to the smart dressing of bankers, and I felt studying accounting would bring me closer to my fantasy. However, it panned out differently; my name was published under Business education (Accounting option) rather than for Accounting, under the faculty of Management Science. The initial thought then, was to go in for my first year, make a good result, and then switch to the faculty of Management Sciences to eventually study Accounting. But, this plan was never affected as I was greatly influenced by one of my female lecturers then Dr Koko. She is currently a professor, and the Director of Academic Planning of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt. I particularly admired her hard work, and her inspiring success story. I am inspired by women who transcend brick walls and concrete floors to exhibit zeal, determination, resilience, and focus in their upward career trajectory. Hence, I settled into Business Education, and I said if Dr Koko (now professor Koko) could achieve in this field, I would also achieve within this sphere, and subsequently surpass her academic accomplishments. I am most certain; she ever got to know she inspired me that extent.

Most defining moment

Shortly after my NYSC, I lost my dad. It was the most shocking and devastating moment in my life, however, it was also a moment of truth for me. The decision I made one year after I lost my dad, would navigate a new path for me in life. May 2005, I moved to Abuja for a short holiday at my uncle’s, it was also a period of clearing my head. For one year, I had been defined by losing my dad. Hence, I knew I had to, at the point I left Port Harcourt for Abuja work towards re-establishing my true calling in life.  I remember, after losing my dad, a very friendly lady who visited our home then asked me what I wanted to do- I told her I had been speaking to my dad shortly before he passed on about my desire to move to the UK to study for a master’s degree. The lady kindly told me; sorry now that he is dead, I don’t see how that is going to happen. She told me of her own ambition then of wanting to be a writer, but when she lost her dad, she could not achieve her dream. I set up west n couture, in 2005, shortly after I moved to Abuja. I worked so hard with my new business, and after three years of successfully running West n couture, I knew it was time to take on another challenge. Hence, 2009, I felt I had saved up enough to proceed for my master’s degree in the UK. I completed my MSc in 2010, and proceeded almost immediately for my doctoral degree. One of my most significant accomplishments was receiving the pro Vice Chancellor’s most outstanding doctoral thesis award. My thesis explored how culture and socialisation and religion influence female leaders in Nigeria.

Why I am passionate about the girl-child

One of the key themes which came out from my study was the need for the girl child education. I am passionate about education especially in providing equal opportunity for disadvantaged groups. Since I came into the UK, I have been engaged in several educational projects sponsored by the British government. One of the projects I worked on involved mentoring young learners through a personal development programme fore-grounded in sound psychological philosophies and practices. The intended outcomes for the young people who participated in that project included: improved emotional well-being, learning to manage anxiety when exposed to any sort of challenge for example, in an exam situation, bullying etc. for them to feel more confident in tackling these challenges. Furthermore, I worked as part of a team that liaised with Higher Education Institutions, schools, academies and colleges in West Midlands. This partnership was aimed at ensuring that young people from less advantaged backgrounds have access to high quality, exciting and challenging experiences that enhance their careers education, motivate, inspire and provide accurate and impartial information, advice and guidance about higher education.

My stance on feminism

I have also presented academic papers at several international and national conferences. In 2015, I was part of the UN Women UK team that attended the 59 session of the Commission for the Status of women (CSW) at the UN headquarters, New York. My stance at the meeting of the subcommittee of women from South Sahara Africa on how we can achieve gender mutuality within this region in order to achieve Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls was that African women should not subscribe to Western feminist ideologies if we hope to achieve gender mutuality. I advised that subscribing to Western feminist prescriptions would only result in frustration. My standpoint on this is the Womanist perspective especially the idea of “Complimentarity.” I reminded the group that the concerns of African women are quite different from those of women in the Western world. African women are burdened with issues such as a history of colonial domination, we also contend with traditional cultures that promote male dominance and patriarchal systems. Hence, African Womanism responds to our context. It is a mother-centred ideology with its focus on caring, nurturing familial, and communal. I also drew their attention to note, that White Western feminists’ theories represent the interests of women from Western societies. These theories have been developed based on the experiences of females in Western societies; therefore there are significant cultural and contextual differences that exist between us and them. Thus, applying its principles within our context will not be without its own consequences. I am glad, that my proposition was hugely supported, and documented to be presented to the executive council of the UN. I would also be attending the CSW 61st session in New York next year.

What motivated me to go into women empowerment

To be honest, I cannot specifically state what led me into women empowerment. I did not particularly set out to be involved in women empowerment, it was all circumstantial. But, what I would say is that my training as a business educator played a vanguard role. Whilst at the university studying for my first degree, I remember just for the fun of it, making cushions for friends, and then, getting paid for it. I also remember, teaching my very good friends how to make cushions so we both could earn some extra cash. I have always seen myself as a facilitator. Whenever I see a female friend who is struggling financially, I would often offer to teach them a skill to enable them become financially independent. Additionally, whilst I was serving in the North, I started up a vocational training hob, where I trained local women and a few female corps members’ vocational skills such as catering, dress making and book keeping. Some of these women went on to set up their own small businesses. My ideas were further broadened when I moved over to the UK for my Master’s degree. I was drawn to gender and leadership studies, I began to read more journals on this topic, and this highlighted my interest in women empowerment.

Combining the home front with my career

I will not say it has been very easy combining family and career, but what I can confidently say is this; it is doable, and achievable. Topping the list of what is required to embark upon this journey, in order to arrive successfully at a targeted destination, is purpose, determination and focus.  In addition to this list, is faith, and then back it up with works. Where you apply these measures, success would definitely become your next destination.

Advice for young women

It was Stephen King who stated that “talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.”One of the ways in which women strive towards gaining acceptance and challenging stereotypes is by working twice as hard as men. Accordingly, women must work hard. My advice is very simple. First of all, as a young woman, dare to have a dream. Then, you would be amazed at how the power of that your dream would keep you going even when the systems and structures fail you. Have a big picture, and keep looking at it, and continue working at it. Constantly to imagine yourself already living in that future which you have dreamt for yourself, then the rest is doable. Do not (and I like to emphasize on that word “do not”) let anyone bring you down. Nobody has the power to limit you, or to define you except you give them the power to do so. The key to your success lies within you! There is an inner Deborah inside of every woman, connect with her and rise to do exploits! Young women must realise that there are no super women (they only exist in fictions) every woman has some degree of elasticity in her. Therefore, all we need is to focus more on ourselves, and shut out distractions. Build your schedule around your time, and then you would be amazed at what you are capable of achieving.  Try to learn a skill, and equip yourself while you can. Please, don’t spend all the time, you ought to put into use rewriting your story only social media making pointless arguments, and browsing through the life styles of those who spent their time working hard to achieve the success you now admire or abhor. The use of social media should be gauged.