Female Muslim students seek end to domestic violence, gender imbalance
Female Muslim students under the aegis of Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit have urged countries to desist from gender imbalance and domestic violence.
The head of the female students (Amirah), Hajia Hafsah Badru, said this while speaking on the importance of women rights in Nigeria viz-a-viz International Women Day.
According to Badru, the rights of women against discrimination, violence and religious intolerance seems to be protected only on papers.
She complained that despite the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by UN and constitutions of various countries, females are not fully safe from oppression.
Citing Nigeria as one of the countries where religious intolerance still existed, she noted that female students are still harassed, suspended and sometimes beaten for exhibiting their rights, especially freedom of religion.
She specifically challenged the Nigerian Government to understudy the UN declarations as adopted by the 36th session of the UN General Assembly in 1981 and a second resolution adopted by the 48th session in 1993.
She said, "Despite the provisions of the Holy Quran, Nigerian constitution and international rulings on freedom of religion, we are still made to face tough times in practising our religion. This is highly condemnable and unfair. The high rate of discrimination has grown that a government in Nigeria demolished mosques for unacceptable reasons and refused the use of hijab in public schools by muslim pupils.
"It's saddening that at a time when Nigeria is supposed to rejoicing over equality, religious inequality and domestic violence against women are still reigning. In few of the instances and institutions where partial religious freedom are allowed, our parents and well-wishers have had to go to court with funds that should have been better used to finance our education. This is too much injustice and the whole world can attest that no country will attain desired growth in the absence of equality."
She, however, recommended that countries who are religious intolerant should be sanctioned.
She added, "We have on different occasions made the government in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole realise that wearing of Hijab (religious scarf) is a compulsory part of our religion. It does not negates public safety but they won't agree because of their biased mindset.
"After several dehumanisation, embarrassment and assaults unleashed on us, UN and AU must defend their positions and resolutions on religious freedom and women violence by sanctioning countries and states that do not comply."
For the avoidance of doubt,part of Article One, two and three of the UN resolution (mentioned above) read, "Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include freedom to have a religion or whatever belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching. No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have a religion or belief of his choice.
According to Badru, the rights of women against discrimination, violence and religious intolerance seems to be protected only on papers.
She complained that despite the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by UN and constitutions of various countries, females are not fully safe from oppression.
Citing Nigeria as one of the countries where religious intolerance still existed, she noted that female students are still harassed, suspended and sometimes beaten for exhibiting their rights, especially freedom of religion.
She specifically challenged the Nigerian Government to understudy the UN declarations as adopted by the 36th session of the UN General Assembly in 1981 and a second resolution adopted by the 48th session in 1993.
She said, "Despite the provisions of the Holy Quran, Nigerian constitution and international rulings on freedom of religion, we are still made to face tough times in practising our religion. This is highly condemnable and unfair. The high rate of discrimination has grown that a government in Nigeria demolished mosques for unacceptable reasons and refused the use of hijab in public schools by muslim pupils.
"It's saddening that at a time when Nigeria is supposed to rejoicing over equality, religious inequality and domestic violence against women are still reigning. In few of the instances and institutions where partial religious freedom are allowed, our parents and well-wishers have had to go to court with funds that should have been better used to finance our education. This is too much injustice and the whole world can attest that no country will attain desired growth in the absence of equality."
She, however, recommended that countries who are religious intolerant should be sanctioned.
She added, "We have on different occasions made the government in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole realise that wearing of Hijab (religious scarf) is a compulsory part of our religion. It does not negates public safety but they won't agree because of their biased mindset.
"After several dehumanisation, embarrassment and assaults unleashed on us, UN and AU must defend their positions and resolutions on religious freedom and women violence by sanctioning countries and states that do not comply."
Hafsah also advised women not to forget their primary role of raising morally upright children and building of a peaceful home.
"I salute the courage and sagacity of women who have made Islam proud and aided national development at different levels. However, we must remember that having good homes is the bed rock of a peaceful and secured society or nation. Always remember the hadith of the Prophet Muhammed (SAW), that if u train a woman you have trained a nation," she said.
For the avoidance of doubt,part of Article One, two and three of the UN resolution (mentioned above) read, "Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include freedom to have a religion or whatever belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching. No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have a religion or belief of his choice.
"Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.
"For the purposes of the present Declaration, the expression 'intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief' means any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on religion or belief and having as its purpose or as its effect nullification or impairment of the recognition, enjoyment or exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis."
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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