OPINION

EDUCATION AND THE AFRICAN FEMALE CHILD

BY: RODIYAH OMOTOYOSI

The female child in the primitive African society is a very respected existence in whichever position she occupies either as a daughter, sister or mother. In every society, the female gender is important. They play a very great role in the development of the society, morally, culturally, economically and spiritually. Undoubtedly, they are a very important species.



 From the onset of western education in Africa, there has been a common ideology that has prevented and still prevents the education of young girls in some grassroots areas and even in some urban regions. From the beginning, education was a special privilege reserved for the male child. As far as our parents, fathers especially were concerned, the girl child ends her life in the kitchen and that should be the extent of her goals and dreams.
 Our parents made us believe that the male child was a very special blessing. So special that in most cultures, one is barren until they have a male child no matter the number of girls they have. This sentiment was transferred to education when it was introduced to the then primitive country.


 The amazing fact is, most times, girls who had the opportunity of education turn out better than their male counterparts. However, this has not completely 'opened the eyes' of some, in this continent. The female child is as precious and even if well taken care of, is sometimes more precious than a male child.


 The female is an interesting species who are very industrious, intelligent, kind, caring and full of warmth. However, in our primitive societies they are treated as second class citizens who are not entitled to education. Why? Because they believe that existence of a woman starts and ends in the kitchen.


 The controversy of gender discrimination in the academia has been a problem since the introduction, such that it is no longer regarded as something new. Although, this is no longer so as we see African women in different stages of education in our African countries. However, there are still some out there who refuse to educate their female children. This is one of the primary reasons for child abuse. These children end up becoming useless to themselves, their families and communities and the whole society at large. They end up becoming liabilities when they have no qualification or skill to earn them a source of income.
 In recent times, our women have proven over and over again that not only are they an integral part of the society, they are a force to reckon with in the fields of academics. Here, I'll mention some great African women who have made history.


 1. Funmilayo Ransome Kuti – The Woman Activist
Years before the second wave of feminism began to take form in the West, there was a woman making activist waves in Nigeria. She was a woman nationalist named Funmilayo Anikulapo-Kuti. Her feminism and democratic socialism lead to the creation of The Abeokuta women’s union (AWU) and later Women’s International Democratic Federation (WIDF), organisations and movements that aided Kuti to promote women’s rights to education, employment and to political participation. When king Alake Ademola of Egbaland wanted to impose taxes on women, Kuti and the AWU clan went to protest using the slogan ‘no taxation without representation’. They were not equal members of society and were strongly opposed to paying taxes until the injustices were rectified.


 2. Yaa Asantewa – The Commander in Chief

No woman is known in the history of the African reactions and responses to European power better than Nana Yaa Asantewa of the Asante state Edweso in Ghana. She was the military leader of what is known as the ‘Yaa Asantewa War’, which was the last war between the Asante and the British, and during which she became referred to by the British as the ‘Joan D’Arc of Africa’. Although she did not enter combat herself, the troops fought in her name and she gave orders and provided the troops with gun powder.


 3.  Winnie Mandela – The President, Nelson Mandela's Wife

Twenty years of separation proved too much even for the Mandelas. The young woman Nelson Mandela knew when he was incarcerated was not the middle-aged woman to whom he returned. And she, now accustomed to the company of young male rebels became uncomfortable in the presence of the old Nelson. When the couple embarked on an international journey after Nelson’s release, crowds flocked to see him, the person they considered the hero of South African anti-apartheid politics. What the greater part of this crowd didn’t know was Winnie’s activist work, her leadership and her outspoken opposition to the white minority rule played an equal role in the anti-apartheid campaign. More people should read about this great woman. Sadly, most people got to know about her upon her death.


4.  Miriam Makeba – The Mother of Africa
Another prominently outspoken and visible opponent of South Africa’s apartheid regime was Miriam Makeba, also known as Mama Africa, and the Empress of African song. Makeba was not only involved in radical activity against apartheid but also in the civil rights movement and then black power. In fact, she was married (albeit briefly) to the Black Panther leader Stokely Carmichael, who was her fourth husband out of five. She said:
''Everybody now admits that apartheid was wrong, and all I did was tell the people who wanted to know where I come from how we lived in South Africa. I just told the world the truth. And if my truth then becomes political, I can’t do anything about that''.


6. Queen Nzinga –  The Reformist
Also knows as Queen Jinga, she is known to have assigned women to important government offices in present day Angola. Two of her war leaders were reputedly her sisters, her council of advisors contained many women, among others her sisters, Princess Grace Kifunji and Mukumbu, the later Queen Barbara, and women were called to serve in her army. Nzinga organized a powerful guerrilla army, conquered some of her enemies and developed alliances to control the slave routes. She even allied with the Dutch to help her stop the Portuguese advancement. After a series of decisive setbacks, Nzinga had to negotiate a peace treaty with the Portuguese, but still refused to pay tribute to the Portuguese king.


 These women and many others have succeeded in proving over and over again, that what a man can do, a woman can do better or perhaps BEST. They have proved that all the female child need is an opportunity to develop herself, all she needs is the encouragement of the people and the sky would be her starting point.