Teaching Feminism in Schools:

An Imperative Step Towards Equality

Photo by Jess Bailey on Unsplash

Teaching feminism in schools can contribute to breaking the cycle of gender inequality and discrimination.    

It's high time we stopped beating around the bush. The concept of feminism, of equality, needs to be taught in our schools. Yes, our dear Motherland, Nigeria, is steeped in rich and diverse cultural heritage; we love and respect that. But it's important to acknowledge that certain traditional norms have continued perpetuating gender inequality and discrimination. I say enough is enough! 

We can't continue to let our girls believe that they are less than their male counterparts. We can't continue to feed our boys with the notion that they are superior by virtue of their gender. This is a cycle that must be broken, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that it is. 

I can still hear the echoes of a song we sang in primary school: 'mummy in the kitchen cooking rice, daddy in the parlour watching ball, children in the garden playing'... It subtly suggested that a woman's place was in the kitchen, sweating and toiling, while the rest of the family amused themselves. The audacity of this, implanting such gender roles in the impressionable minds of children! 

But the indoctrination didn't stop there. In class, our teachers would admonish the girls to sit properly so as not to diminish their bride price, or to behave well lest no man would want to marry them. The sheer audacity! Such statements should be outrightly banned from our schools. What message are we sending to our young girls? That their worth lies in their ability to secure a husband or that their bodies are commodities for their future spouses? This is about our young girls, for heaven's sake!

Children are impressionable beings and their education on gender equality should begin as soon as they are born. 

Teaching feminism in schools is not about indoctrinating our children with radical ideologies or turning them against their culture. Far from it! It's about giving them a fair chance to understand the power of equality, respect, and consent. It's about making them realize that their worth is not determined by their gender, but by their abilities, dreams, and achievements. 

"Feminism isn't about making women stronger. Women are already strong. It's about changing the way the world perceives that strength."- G.D Anderson

We need our curriculum to include lessons on feminism, on the importance of treating every human being with respect, regardless of their gender. The classroom is a powerful platform, and we must use it to plant the seeds of equality. Let's teach our girls that they can dream big and achieve anything. Let's teach our boys that being respectful and acknowledging a woman's strength doesn't make them any less of a man. 

Furthermore, I strongly advocate for gender-responsive pedagogy, a teaching approach that takes into account the specific needs and realities of both boys and girls. It's not just about what we teach, but how we teach it. The teaching-learning process should be free from gender bias, encouraging both boys and girls to explore their full potential. 

Teaching feminism in schools is an effective way to combat gender stereotypes. It encourages young people to question the traditional gender roles. It emphasizes the importance of every gender, showing us that we are all valuable in our own ways. This education provides us with the skills needed to challenge and overcome societal inequality. 

What are some ways to address cultural or religious sensitivities when teaching feminism? 

Nigerians can be very stubborn, using tradition and religion to back up their bigotry. And if one is not wise, one can easily offend them and that would be the end. They will never change their mind again. Here are some tips for talking to traditional Nigerians about nontraditional issues.

Use historical and contemporary examples of Nigerian feminist activism. Nigerian women have a long history of resisting oppression and fighting for their rights, from the Aba Women’s War of 1929 to the Bring Back Our Girls campaign of 201413. 

Nigerian women have also been at the forefront of social movements such as the #EndSARS protests of 2020 and the #SexForGrades campaign of 2019. These examples show that Nigerian feminism is not a foreign or imported concept, but rather a homegrown and indigenous one that responds to the specific challenges and opportunities of Nigerian society.

Engage in dialogue and education, not confrontation and condemnation. Nigerian culture is often influenced by patriarchal and religious norms that may be hostile or indifferent to feminist ideals.

Rather than dismissing or attacking these norms, try to understand their origins and implications, and offer alternative views and values that are compatible with feminism.

For instance, you can appeal to the principles of justice, equality, and human dignity that are shared by many religions and cultures, and show how feminism promotes these principles.

You can also use stories, anecdotes, and testimonies to illustrate the realities and struggles of Nigerian women, and how feminism can empower them to overcome these challenges.

Most importantly, apply wisdom. It's not lying if you don't call it feminism, you can use other words and phrases like keeping our girls safe, empowering young girls, and others.

My fellow Nigerians, it's time for us to rise above our societal norms and prejudices. It's time we realize that teaching feminism in schools is not just a noble idea, but an imperative step towards equality. Yes, there will be resistance. Yes, there will be opposition. But as they say, no great change ever came without resistance. So, let's stand firm, let's stand together, and let's fight for the future we want for our children. A future of equality, respect, and fairness. Let's make it happen!