The feminism of a Nigerian woman is grounded in the belief that everyone regardless of their gender, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. It is a subtle challenge at the systems of power that encourage inequality. It is shaped by their cultural beliefs and personal experiences.

The feminism of a Nigerian woman is inspired by strong and fierce Nigerian who challenged traditional stereotypes and patriarchal norms.

As a Nigerian woman, feminism has always meant much more to me than a fancy word to indulge in or a trendy concept. It is a movement that should be fiercely embraced and must be tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of different women.

Factors That  Influence The Feminism Of The Nigerian Women

Personal experiences of Inequality

Many Nigerian women have experienced sexism or gender-based discrimination in their personal lives or in the workplace. These experiences have led to a realization that gender inequality is prevalent in Nigerian society and has  motivated a lot of Nigerian women to want different for themselves and their fellow women in the society by  advocating  for change.

Exposure to feminist ideas

A lot of Nigerian women have read a lot of books and articles written by feminist writers, they have attended feminist workshops or conferences, and are also following feminist social media accounts. This exposes them to new ideas about gender roles and equality. This exposure contributed to tan interest in feminist theory and lead to a deeper understanding of the issues facing them.

Education 

Access to gender studies or feminist ideas in school or university can also influence Nigerian women to become feminists. By being  informed about the gender roles and system of inequality being perpetuated on a consistent basis, a lot of Nigerian women have grown to greater understanding of the need for feminist activism.

The 3 Types Of Feminism Nigerian Women Indulge In

Feminist Extremist

Feminist extremists are known for their radical views and willingness to use any means necessary to achieve their goals. This can include physical violence, vandalism, and chaotic social situations.

While the goal of most  feminist extremists is to achieve gender equality, their methods are EXTREME and can easily become  counterproductive which  damages the feminist movement as a whole. 

Some feminists extremists also advocate for the complete overthrow of the patriarchy and the establishment of a matriarchal society. This extreme views and tactics have also led to accusations of misandry and exclusion of men from the feminist movement which shouldn't be so.

The problem with feminist extremism is that it can lead to a feminist movement that is divided, where the true feminists will now be  seen as insufficiently committed to the cause. This can create an environment where there is little room for debate or discussion, and where differing voices are dismissed or even silenced.

Feminists extremists  also undermine the credibility of the larger feminist movement, as the movement can be perceived as irrational and aggressive. This can alienate potential allies, including men and women who may be sympathetic to feminist causes but are put off by extremist tactics.

Convenient Feminism

Some women join the feminist movement only when it's beneficial to them, and then drop their advocacy the moment it no longer serves their interests. 

Convenient feminism is when women adopt feminist principles or language only when it is beneficial to them, such as when they are seeking a promotion at work or facing discrimination in their personal lives. Once their immediate goals are met, they may abandon their feminist principles and disengage from the movement altogether. You might even find them advocating for the patriarchal system once they have no need of the feminist movement. They do it because they can benefit from it.

One example of convenient feminism is when women use their gender to gain an advantage in the workplace, but do not advocate for gender equality in other areas. For instance, a woman may argue that she deserves a promotion or pay raise because she is a woman, but not actively support other women in the workplace who are facing discrimination or harassment.

Convenient feminism encourages the notion that feminism is only relevant to women's personal ambitions, rather than a larger social movement that seeks to address systemic inequalities.

It is a harmful and damaging form of feminism because it ridicules the real efforts of women who are true feminists. It gives  the impression that feminism is a superficial or opportunistic endeavor. This can lead to a lack of support for feminist causes and a lack of funding for feminist organizations, making it more difficult to achieve gender equality and equity.

True feminism 

At its core, true feminism is the belief that women should have equal rights and opportunities like men, and that gender should not be a barrier to social, economic, and political success. This means advocating for equal pay, reproductive rights, and access to education, among other things.

True feminism recognizes and acknowledges that women of different backgrounds and experiences may face different barriers to equality, and that these must be addressed in order to achieve true equality for all.

True  feminism is also intersectional. Intersectionality is the idea that different forms of oppression are interconnected and that they cannot be understood or addressed in isolation. For example, a black woman may face both gender and racial discrimination, and these forms of oppression cannot be addressed separately.

Most Importantly, true feminism is not about hating men or seeking to dominate them. Rather, it is about creating a world in which men and women are truly equal, and in which gender is not a barrier to success or happiness. It is about dismantling the patriarchy and challenging traditional gender roles, but it is not about demonizing men or seeking to oppress them. It is a system that genuinely seeks to cater to the male and female gender.
 

5 Challenges Nigerian Feminists Face

Despite  the progress made in recent years, a lot of Nigerian feminists still grapple with completely embracing the movement. These are some of the challenges Nigerian women face with embracing feminism;

Patriarchal System

Patriarchy is the social system in which males primarily dominate important roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property.

In Nigeria, patriarchy is deeply embedded in the culture and is reflected in various aspects of society, including family structures, traditional gender roles, and cultural practices. Patriarchy can hinder a Nigerian woman from being a true feminist by enforcing strict gender norms and expectations that limit their opportunities and autonomy.

Religion

Religion is an important part of Nigerian culture, and some religious teachings are used to justify patriarchal attitudes and practices. For example, some interpretations of Islam and Christianity hold that men are the leaders of the family and that women should be submissive to them. This can hinder a Nigerian woman from being a true feminist by making them feel guilty or disobedient for questioning traditional gender roles.

Economic dependence

Many Nigerian women are economically dependent on men, whether as husbands or fathers. This economic dependence can hinder a Nigerian woman from being a true feminist by limiting their ability to make independent choices and speak out against patriarchal practices. Women who are financially dependent on men may feel pressure to conform to traditional gender roles in order to maintain financial stability.

Will Nigerian women ever truly be feminists in the way that they want to be?

I genuinely believe so. While there are many obstacles that hinder Nigerian women from being true feminists, there are also many positive developments that suggest progress towards greater gender equality.

One reason we should be optimistic is the increasing awareness and visibility of feminism in Nigeria. In recent years, there has been a growing feminist movement in the country, with more and more women speaking out against patriarchy, demanding equal rights, and advocating for women's empowerment.

This movement has been propelled even further  by the rise of social media, which has provided a platform for Nigerian women to connect, share their experiences, and mobilize for change. 

Despite the many challenges they face, Nigerian women continue to assert their rights and demand equal treatment. They have proven themselves to be a powerful force for change, and their voices will only grow louder and more influential as they continue to organize and advocate for their rights.

It is this resilience and determination that gives us hope for the future. As long as Nigerian women continue to organize and speak out, as long as they refuse to accept the status quo, they will always be a step closer to becoming true feminists.