This is an answer to the question on why I call myself a feminist.

Revolution of a feminist.

Isa Emmanuel

   While growing up, I never experienced what it felt like to have a father which is evident that I was raised by a single mother. My mother did not abort as some women do, but she endured all the pain that She had to go through being a single mother, in which she has evidently done a great job. 

      “We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller. We say to girls, you can have ambition, but not too much. You should aim to be successful, but not too successful. Otherwise, you would threaten the man"(Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie)do you agree with the above quote? Feminism is a socio-political movement that advocates for equal rights between both genders, equal pay, reproduction right, and freedom of choice. A feminist is a person who believes in gender equality for both genders.

     In Nigeria, the explicit feminist movement in Nigeria finds its roots in WIN (Women in Nigeria), an organization, which was founded in 1983 with a clear agenda to establish an “ideologically feminist movement” in the country. WIN has since been replaced by the Nigerian Feminist Forum (NFF) in 2008. Today, organizations such as Stand To End Rape, Afri-Dev Info, The Nigerian Women’s Trust Fund, Coloured Africa, and As Equals Africa are emerging as pronouncedly feminist platforms which aim at empowering women.

     In politics today, when a woman emerges to contest for presidential seats, you should expect dissatisfaction from the masses because of her gender, she is limited to only a Councillor, House of Representatives, and Governor (if it's a free and fair election). In some churches, women are not given the "elders office", because "She" is a woman. I am not here to spark up a controversy. In the Northern part of Nigeria, Some women are not sent to school because their fathers have accepted the stereotype that their daughters would end up with a man eventually which they have to be submissive and subject to being limited. Today, we have prominent women that are doing well in various fields, we have women like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Amina Jane Muhammad, Ibukun Awosika etc. These are women that have not limited themselves to the opinion of society and who are successful in their various fields as a result of education. 

     Law is the best platform to protect the lives of women, and it is as a result of the level of women who experience domestic abuse and violence that I have decided to embark on this journey, and it baffles me for Christ's sake when society pleads with the Woman to return to her Spouse and give Him a "second chance". Women are not given enough opportunities to showcase their willpower, even if they are, the chances are rare. I am always delighted to see women handling responsibilities side by side with Men because it creates an opportunity for both genders to work together which is beneficial for the masses. After all, there is a balance of power and authority. 

     In conclusion, my mother's experience is behind the unquenchable urge that I have for feminism. To all women married and unmarried, do not adhere to the notion that "it is Man's world", it is your world too. You are limitless, stand up for what you believe in. If you think your voice won't be heard, "we" are hearing you. And to all men, we are doing a good job of taking care of these Women, although God sees our hearts, we remain unlimited. 

     I believe in equality, and I will stand up for what I believe✊✊🏾✊🏿. I am proud to be a feminist. 

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