WORDOC: Tackling gender-based stereotypes

Those girls are the future of any nation is saying what is obvious, but cultural issues in many countries of the world have hindered a lot of girls from achieving their true potentials.

This is, therefore, what the Women’s Research and Documentation Centre (WORDOC) of the Institute of African Studies (IAS), University of Ibadan, is out to tackle.

Founded in 1987, the Centre has been at the forefront of researching into issues affecting the womenfolk, and for its 2018 event, it organised a girls’ summit, with the theme, Girls Pressing for Progress.

Speaking on this year’s event, the Coordinator of WORDOC, Dr Sharon Adetutu Omotoso, said the centre was out to revive self assertion in girls, while building their confidence.

Dr Omotoso said that despite societal beliefs, which in most cases work against the womenfolk, the girls would be made to understand that they could achieve anything in the world if they put their minds at it.

“It is as a result of this that we have brought women who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields of endeavours to talk to the participants who have been drawn from different schools in Ibadan.

“The girls will be able to understand that there is no obstacle they cannot overcome, and they can become the best in whatever they decide to do,” Dr Omotoso said.

In his remarks on the occasion, the Director of the Institute of African Studies, Professor Ohioma Pogoson, went back memory lane to when he was growing up.

Professor Pogoson said the first four children of his parents were boys, so his mother ensured that they did everything girls would do in the home.

“My mother didn’t say that because we were boys, then we would be exempted from performing certain chores, and this has greatly helped me today.

“Therefore, the world has moved away from stereotyping people based on gender.

“One funny thing is that I have all female children, so I taught them everything my mother taught me, and I believe this is helping them in their husband’s houses today.

“Again, I find it fascinating seeing some single mothers playing the roles of fathers and mothers, and they are still successful in their chosen professions.

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“Therefore, the secret to success is simply the determination to succeed, which I want you to take away from this summit,” Professor Pogoson said.

Corroborating Professor Pogoson’s submission, the managing director of Danax Pharmacy, Mrs Nene Okoye, described determination as the mother of success.

Mrs Okoye went down memory lane to went she started her business, and despite all the challenges that confronted her, she never gave up the dream.

She said: “Once you have an idea of what you want to do, then you will work towards it, while tackling the challenges that come your way.

“When I got married, my husband was working in Lagos, but I didn’t let his absence affect me. I engaged myself in productive ventures, and the reward of that hardwork is what I am enjoying today.

“Don’t let anybody tell you you can’t do certain things because you are a girl.

“With determination, there is nothing you cannot achieve. However, be productive; look at those things you love doing and see how you can use them to benefit the society. This is how businesses are built.

“This is your holiday period, don’t just waste your time playing; look at those talents through which you can generate extra money like making pies, doughnuts, and so on, and when you resume, set targets for yourself and work towards achieving them,” Mrs Okoye said.

While also speaking, the chairperson of the Oyo State Chapter of the Nigeria Women of Journalists (NAWOJ), Mrs Foluso Lala, charged the girls to be bold.

“Being bold is the beginning of your success, then you will work on what you want to achieve in life.

“Don’t be intimidate that only boys are studying a certain course,  as there are several successful women engineers today.

“So whatever you want to do, don’t underrate yourself,” Mrs Lala said.

On the second day of the event, renown sociologist, Professor Bolanle Awe, commended the centre for the good work it is doing.

Professor Awe further encouraged participants to work hard to attain the peak of their endeavours in life.

There were also video shows by successful women to encourage the girls, including a video lecture by Chimamanda Adichie, where she urged girls not to be inhibited by their gender, but by what they can contribute to societal development.