Hello Nokviewers
Welcome to March, the month that houses the International Women Day.
For about 3 years (2017-2019) i made sure i spent every international women’s day among women, either speaking to them or learning about being a woman, challenges and way forward as a woman… This year was different, yeah… I spent it indoors, i just did not want to be around so many people…… But my work got out to celebrate women’s day.
The work is titled THE VICTORIAN GENDER IDEALS, IDEOLOGY AND ITS EFFECT ON THE NIGERIAN WOMEN. published in WORDOC newsletter Vol. 8. No 1, March 2020
The Victorian ideology and perception have been in existence in the Victorian England 1819-1901 (19th and 20th century) thus, it is not a new phenomenon. Its principles are deeply embedded in the believe that women had one main role in life, which is to marry and participate in the business of their husband. Before marriage the girl child was expected to learn skills needed to be a housewife such as cooking, washing, cleaning, weaving, stitching to mention a few. “Women were also not allowed to be educated or gain knowledge outside of the home because it was a man world and a woman was perceived as inferior.[1]
The Housewife ideology or Victorian Ideology is evident in Nigeria whereby some women are relegated in doing all this activities. A reason why the Victorian ideals could be said to have been deeply entrenched in pre-colonial and colonial Nigeria bores down to tradition and the fact that women went into marriage early without the opportunity for self-development, due to their young age, it was easy for their husbands to dominate and relegate the wives, making motherhood and its demand affect the woman, therefore, making her more home centred and limiting the political, economic and societal engagement and contributions.[2]
My submission is if a woman chooses to do all this activity, it is fine, it is not wrong as long as the women has time for herself. If she chooses to accept employment it should not be frowned upon as women plays a role in development and thus should be supported. Women should not be relegated or forced to being full time wives. Women should find a way to balance womanhood and motherhood, as women have desperately made efforts to battle these legacies and have begun working.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfNfzynxWR0
[1] Appell F. 2001 Victorian Ideals: The Influence of Societies ideals on Victorian Relationships. McKendree. McKendree University, Dec-Jan.. Available in www.mckendree.edu/academics/scholars/issue18/appell.htm Accessed on 23/1/2020 p1-4
[2]Ikpe E.B, 2004, The Historical Legacy of Gender Inequalities in Nigeria, in Paradox of Gender Equality In Nigeria Politics, Akingboye S.O, Lagos, Concept Human Sciences Series P29
Durojaiye F.O. 2004. Socioeconomic Dimensions of Gender Equality in Nigeria in Paradox of Gender Equality In Nigeria Politics, Akingboye S.O, Lagos, Concept Human Sciences Series Pp41-59
Oliseh K.N. 2019. Through Historical Lens: The Changing Status of Women in Post-Colonial Africa. In What Should Women Want? Before and Beyond” Omotosho A.A and Oladejo M.T. Ibadan. WORDOC.
Upokolo C. and Familusi O.O. 2010, Gender and African culture and civilisation in African culture and civilisation. . Victor Edo and Familusi O.O (eds), , Ibadan. C.G.S, U.I
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