Women’s engagement is crucial and it is important to recognize that women are not a homogeneous group depending on whether women are young or older, educated or uneducated, live in rural or urban areas, they have very different life experiences that lead to different priorities and needs, but unfortunately, women roles and contribution have not been properly documented and recorded like that of men history.
The meaningful participation of women in national, local, and community leadership roles has become an important focus of global development policy.
Still, some may ask why it matters if women become political leaders, elected policymakers, or civil society activists or why does the world even need women involved in all aspects of the politics?
In the realization of our present-day Nigeria, history has it that women played vital roles in politics, law and government.
The active roles played by women in both the realization of independence and in the sustenance of sovereignty and independence in Nigeria are paramount and cannot be undermined and neglected.
It is disturbingly disheartening that history has omitted the most remarkable efforts made by women, especially in the pre-colonial era when there was little or no record-keeping platform to store such valuable and key information.
Previously, due to the erroneous obnoxious African mentality and mindset that “women’s education ends in the kitchen”, most of their notable successes were credited to their male counterparts, thereby undermining the women’s efforts while the men are praised and applauded openly.
Recently, due to advancements in technology and the emergence of accessible multi-media platforms in the 21st century, women’s impacts and achievements with respect to the sustenance of independence in our present-day Nigeria were and are being judiciously recorded for reference purposes.
Women’s efforts with respect to the realization of independence can be dated as far back as the 12th century up to the 19th century.
During the pre-colonial era, most women who played notable roles were brave warriors and female chiefs who understood the importance of sovereignty and freedom and were willing to fight for it, get it and keep it.
In the 12th century was Moremi Ajasoro of Ile-Ife, Queen Amina of Zaria, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, Okonjo Iweala.
The lack of record-keeping platforms and very little participation of women in political affairs were the major drawbacks of the Era.
The role of women evolved within the colonial era when compared with the pre-colonial era. The rights of women and the importance of independence were suppressed and almost completely eliminated due to the presence of the colonial authorities in the 20th century.
Notwithstanding, women still overcame the huddle by embarking on protests, riots and exerting their influence on the family which is the basic unit of socialization, politics and independence.
The Aba women’s riot
The “riots” or the war led by women in the provinces of Calabar and Owerri in southeastern Nigeria in November and December of 1929, became known as the “Aba Women’s Riots of 1929” in British colonial history, or as the “Women’s War” in Igbo history.
Thousands of Igbo women organized a massive revolt against the policies imposed by British colonial administrators in southeastern Nigeria, touching off the most serious challenge to British rule in the history of the colony.
The “Women’s War” took months for the government to suppress and became a historic example of feminist and anti-colonial protest.
The roots of the riots evolved from January 1, 1914, when the first Nigerian colonial governor, Lord Lugard, instituted the system of indirect rule in Southern Nigeria.
Under this plan, the British administrators would rule locally through “warrant chiefs,” essentially Igbo individuals appointed by the governor. Traditionally Igbo chiefs had been elected.
Within a few years, the appointed warrant chiefs became increasingly oppressive. They seized property, imposed draconian local regulations, and began imprisoning anyone who openly criticized them.
Although much of the anger was directed against the warrant chiefs, most Nigerians knew the source of their power – British colonial administrators.
Colonial administrators added to the local sense of grievance when they announced plans to impose special taxes on the Igbo market women. These women were responsible for supplying the food to the growing urban populations in Calabar, Owerri, and other Nigerian cities.
They feared the taxes would drive many of the market women out of business and seriously disrupt the supply of food and non-perishable goods available to the populace.
In November of 1929, thousands of Igbo women congregated at the Native Administration centres in Calabar and Owerri as well as smaller towns to protest both the warrant chiefs and the taxes on the market women.
Using the traditional practice of censoring men through all night song and dance ridicule (often called “sitting on a man”), the women chanted and danced, and in some locations forced warrant chiefs to resign their positions.
The women also attacked European-owned stores and Barclays Bank and broke into prisons and released prisoners. They also attacked Native Courts run by colonial officials, burning many of them to the ground.
Colonial Police and troops were called in. They fired into the crowds that had gathered at Calabar and Owerri, killing more than 50 women and wounding over 50 others. During the two-month “war” at least 25,000 Igbo women were involved in protests against British officials.
The Aba Women’s war prompted colonial authorities to drop their plans to impose a tax on the market women and to curb the power of the warrant chiefs.
The women’s uprising is seen as the first major challenge to British authority in Nigeria and West Africa during the colonial period.
Impact of the riot
As a result of the protests, the position of women in society was greatly improved. In some areas, women were able to replace the Warrant Chiefs. Women were also appointed to serve in the Native Courts.
After the war, women’s movements were very strong in Ngwa land, many events in the 30s, 40s and 50s were inspired by the Women’s War, including the Tax Protests of 1938, the Oil Mill Protests of the 1940s in Owerri and Calabar Provinces and the Tax Revolt in Aba and Onitsha in 1956.
On two occasions British district officers were called and security forces were forced to break up protests. During these occasions, at least 50 women were shot dead and 50 more wounded.
The women themselves never seriously injured anybody against whom they were protesting, nor any of the security forces who broke up those protests.
The role of women in the struggle and fight for freedom has often been forgotten and overshadowed by their male counterparts. However, over subsequent years the role of women in the fight and struggle for freedom is being noticed.
The role of women in the post colonial era is seen in areas of social activism and advocacy. Women in the 21th century are mainly writers, social strategists and human rights activists.
They have taken advantage of the technology present in the 21st century, such as print media, audio and visual media including social media. This proffered them the opportunity to campaign against gender inequality, bad governance and corruption.
In the voice of women to be heard in the fight and struggle for freedom, the 1929 Aba Women Riot paved way for other subsequent acts by the women.
Therefore, there is clearly a need to re-think the approach to women’s empowerment and gender equality, especially with the increasing number of women’s participation in politics.
Women’s participation in government results in tangible gains for democracy, including greater responsiveness to citizen needs, increased cooperation across party and ethnic lines, and a more sustainable future.
