National Issues
Woes of Women in Conflict Societies.
THE fate of women in warring societies is a very pathetic one, which has really attracted a global attention. Investigation has revealed that women contribute more than half of the internally displaced population (IDP) and an army of refugees in Africa.
Many of them paraded severe agony of the mind; they have had a bitter experience as several unspeakable atrocities have been committed against them.
Oftentimes, these helpless women were forced to have canal pleasure with their children; some daughters were made to engage in sex bouts with their father or male relatives on the directives of the armed combatants; so traumatic!
It is glaring that several women and young ladies have become victims and subjected to a lot of nefarious practices such as sex slavery and gang rape in armed conflict.
Rape is one of the notable atrocities suffered by womenfolk in conflict ridden societies which have become a weapon of war in recent time. While gang rape has also become a regular feature of armed conflict in Africa, innocent female civilians become victims of this dastardly act irrespective of age, status, ethnic background and education.
This was evidenced in the case of Josette, a victim of Rwandan crisis who narrated how she was raped by a lot of people, and at different times. She stressed further that she could not ‘think how many times’. Also, in February 27, 2004, Darfu, Sudan where the ‘Janjaweeds’ militia men launched a bestial attack on Tawaila village where over hundred women and young girls, even as young as eight years were raped.
The marathon gang rape was conducted by these militants on their victims to humiliate them in front of their relatives and husbands. Up to 14 militia men may pounce on a woman in such a show of shame. Over 40,000 women and girls were reportedly raped in Sudan, many of whom got pregnant in such a horrible circumstances.
In the similar vein, it is imperative to note that women in conflict societies are also at the risk of injury and physical disability resulting from attacks from the armed combatants. In Sudan, very young girls and women have been reported to have had several degrees of injuries inflicted on them by the Janjaweed militia terrorists, many whom have had their legs broken while others were inflicted with horrible marks on their bodies and faces.
The savage action of physical dismemberment of the victims by the lunatic Janjaweed fighters was to prevent the innocent and armless female civilians from escaping as they were subjected to gang rape and sexual slavery.
These victims of rape are always experiencing psychological torments; they feel dishonoured and disrespected by the societies in Africa. Due to the psychological trauma, many of them are no more comfortable being in the midst of men and develop a deep hatred against male folks. This trauma may even produce another set of negativities and dispassionate feelings such as eagerness for commitment of suicide.
Continuing, many of these victims are subjected to socio-economic problems as they rejected not only by their husbands, relatives but by the whole societies. Societies see them as ill destined or the ‘warehouses’ of HIV/AIDS.
These victims and their children face public vituperation and discrimination, they were abandoned or enjoy very little support from former husbands, and they experience severe socio-economic hardship in a bid to cater for their children.
Similarly, many female victims of armed conflict have had their arms chopped off, and some of whom have lost their hubbies to the armed conflicts encounter enormous task to take care of their family, thus affect their productivity, ditto resort to street begging.
So sad that these innocent women always face the risk of murder. The genocidal war between the Hutus and Tutsis still fresh in my memory, where not less than 400,000 women lost their lives. In Liberia, the NPFL rebels were reported to have raped a lot of women and young girls during the civil war crusade, they were also killed, particularly those who trying to refuse the rape attempts of the rebels.
In conclusion, women encounter a lot of challenges in her everyday life. She is subjected to a lot of agonies and pains. Several crimes are usually perpetuated against her, ranging from battery, sexual economic imperialism, customary oppression, political animosity, rape and sexual abuse, injury to murder.
It is imperative for every society to imbibe and promote “Gender Justice”, since its demands that there should be effective justice system, which engenders fairness, due process and equity to guide the affairs of state.
Every society must show sincere commitment to gender justice as a peace building initiative.
By Idowu Ayodele.
In response to the escalating security challenges plaguing Nigeria, no fewer than 16 state governors have thrown their weight behind the establishment of state police forces.
This development was disclosed by the National Economic Council (NEC) during its 140th meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, which took place virtually on Thursday.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, who briefed State House Correspondents after the meeting, revealed that out of the 36 states, 20 governors and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were yet to submit their positions on the matter, though he did not specify which states were among them.
The governors advocating for state police also pushed for a comprehensive review of the Nigerian Constitution to accommodate this crucial reform. Their move underscores the urgency and gravity of the security situation across the nation.
Similarly, the NEC received an abridged report from the ad-hoc committee on Crude Oil Theft Prevention and Control. This committee, headed by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, highlighted the areas of oil leakages within the industry and identified instances of infractions.
Governor Uzodinma’s committee stressed the imperative of political will to drive the necessary changes and reforms needed to combat crude oil theft effectively.
Renowned academician, Professor Augustine Okereke, from the Medgar Evers College/City University of New York, has emphasised the detrimental impact of a lack of strong social institutions on Nigeria’s sustainable development.
Presenting a lead paper at the First Annual Ibadan Social Science Conference hosted by the University of Ibadan, Professor Okereke urged President Bola Tinubu to foster robust institutions capable of combatting corruption and addressing social ills.
“All our institutions are on the decline,” warned Professor Okereke, underscoring the urgent need for effective structures to facilitate sustainable development. He highlighted the challenges faced by African countries, emphasising the risk of continued poverty, underemployment, and injustice without these foundational structures.
The Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ibadan, Professor Ezebunwa Nwokocha, asserted the university’s commitment to providing intellectual, context-specific solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.
He called on state and federal governments to patronise researchers in the country, emphasising the faculty’s reputation for producing intellectual leaders.
Professor Nwokocha stated, “Our faculty is reputed for offering deeply intellectual, workable, and context-specific solutions to the challenges faced by Nigeria over the ages.” He emphasised the significance of the conference’s theme in aiding Nigeria’s navigation through its complex existential reality marked by despair, rising inflation, insecurity, corruption, and unemployment.
During the conference’s opening, Vice Chancellor Professor Kayode Adebowale noted the relevance of the theme, “Social Science, Contemporary Social Issues, and the Actualization of Sustainable Development,” urging participants to generate transformative ideas for Nigeria.
Acknowledging the nation’s progress over 63 years, he expressed concern over setbacks in the economy and social indices, hoping the conference would proffer solutions.
In his keynote address, Professor Lai Erinosho stressed the rapid worldwide social change in the digital age, citing both benefits and unanticipated consequences for human survival. He cautioned against embracing same-sex relationships, citing dangerous implications for humanity.
The First Annual Ibadan Social Science Conference convened a diverse array of participants to explore solutions and intellectual leadership in addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges.
As the country grapples with economic challenges, the latest figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed a surge in the inflation rate to 28.92%, according to the December 2023 Consumer Price Index (CPI) released on a Monday afternoon.
The CPI, tracking the fluctuation in prices of goods and services, illustrates a notable increase from the previous month’s 28.20%, underscoring the pressing concerns surrounding the nation’s economic stability.
In a recent report, the Statistics Office revealed a notable uptick in the headline inflation rate for December 2023, marking a 0.72 percentage point increase from the previous month’s figure in November 2023.
On a year-on-year basis, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) highlighted a significant surge, with the December 2023 rate standing at 7.58 percentage points higher compared to the corresponding period in 2022.
December 2022 witnessed an inflation rate of 21.34 percent, underscoring the economic dynamics at play.
“This shows that the headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in December 2023 when compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e., December 2022),” NBS said.
In a further revelation, the bureau disclosed that the month-on-month headline inflation rate for December 2023 experienced a 2.29 percent surge, surpassing November 2023 by 0.20 percent. This indicates a swifter rise in the average price level compared to the preceding month.
The report highlighted a concerning acceleration in food inflation, reaching 33.93 percent on a year-on-year basis for December 2023. This marked a substantial 10.18 percent points increase from December 2022’s rate of 23.75 percent. The data underscores the persistent upward trend in food prices, a trend exacerbated by various government policies, including the removal of subsidies on petrol.
Notably, in July 2023, President Tinubu declared a State of Emergency on food insecurity to address the escalating food prices. Taking decisive action, the President mandated that issues related to food and water availability and affordability fall under the jurisdiction of the National Security Council, recognising these as essential livelihood items in need of urgent attention.
In Monday’s inflation report, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) detailed the key contributors to the year-on-year increase in the headline index. The leading factors include food & non-alcoholic beverages at 14.98 percent, housing water, electricity, gas & other fuel at 4.84 percent, clothing & footwear at 2.21 percent, and transport at 1.88 percent.
Additional contributors encompass furnishings & household equipment & maintenance (1.45 percent), education (1.14 percent), health (0.87 percent), miscellaneous goods & services (0.48 percent), restaurant & hotels (0.35 percent), alcoholic beverages, tobacco & kola (0.31 percent), recreation & culture (0.20 percent), and communication (0.20 percent).
The report highlighted a substantial 24.66 percent change in the average Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the twelve months ending December 2023 over the previous twelve-month period. This represents a significant 5.81 percent increase compared to the 18.85 percent recorded in December 2022, indicating ongoing inflationary pressures in the economy.
Food Inflation
In a concerning trend, the food inflation rate for December 2023 surged to 33.93 percent on a year-on-year basis, marking a substantial 10.18 percent points increase from the same period in 2022, when the rate stood at 23.75 percent.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) attributed this rise in food inflation to notable increases in the prices of various essential items. Key contributors include bread and cereals, oil and fat, potatoes, yam, and other tubers, fish, meat, fruit, milk, cheese, and eggs.
These price hikes collectively contributed to the intensified strain on consumers, highlighting the complex dynamics driving the upward trajectory of food prices.
“On a month-on-month basis, the Food inflation rate in December 2023 was 2.72 percent, this was 0.30 percent higher compared to the rate recorded in November 2023 (2.42 percent),” it said.
Clarifying the dynamics behind the recent uptick, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) explained that the month-on-month increase in food inflation for December 2023 was spurred by a heightened rate of escalation in the average prices of oil and fat, meat, bread, and cereals, potatoes, yam, and other tubers, as well as fish and dairy products like milk, cheese, and eggs.
“The average annual rate of food inflation for the twelve months ending December 2023 over the previous twelve-month average was 27.96 percent, which was a 7.02 percent points increase from the average annual rate of change recorded in December 2022 (20.94 percent),” the report added.
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