The last week of June 2018 was for community service. This time around I was going to some secondary schools in rural communities in Enugu Nigeria to speak on Examination malpractice, Career. I chose these topics because of how pertinent they are for the rural students at this level. As a product of rural schools, and sometimes teacher at both rural and urban schools, I know the mindset and other common issues affecting students in these areas with little or no intervention. Especially Examination malpractice which is a bane to quality education in the country. And one of the current social problems which has been trending in the news media in recent times.
During this campaign, I devoted a good portion of my time to chat with the students. At the chat session in one of the schools, I tried to find out their perceptions about some of the issues we discuss. And accidentally chipped into the gender Issue by asking how many of the students would like to be the president of their country.
Of course, everyone of them would like to be the president. Good! 'Then, how many of you the girls would love to be the wife of the president?' Virtually all the girls in affirmation. Time for the boys. 'How many of you would love to be the husband of the president?' That countenance of sneering faces said it all. How many boys on the ground? 10, 20, 50, over 70 boys and none of them would love to be the husband of a president except one. 'I would be providing a gift for the only boy who has boldly accepted to be the husband of a president' 'And also a gift for any other boys who would proudly accept to be the husband of a president'. Disappointedly, the boys would rather not have a gift than accept publicly in the presence of the girls to be the husband of a female president. They instead, asked to know what the husband of a president is called. As a female spouse is called first lady, a male spouse is called what? Funny suggestions though: First man, first gent, Mr. Husband of the president etc. Should he belong to the other room too? I let them suggest as they mock.
Laughing but serious. Does it matter what you are called? Would you rather choose to be the husband of a nobody than a president? It wasn't really the topic. But immediately I thought we should divert some of our time to speak more on this.And started by telling them stories of women in Nigeria, Africa and the World who had been great in leadership. Late Dora Akunyili, Chimamanda Adichie, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Angela Merkel of Germany, Theresa May of Britain etc. Nonetheless, their spouses were good in their own ways without being threatened by the positions of their wives. Perhaps, we'd never have known about these men if not for their wives.
So, this recurring question still on my mind: Do the boys just sneer at being the spouse of a female president?
P.S
The Community Service was an integral part of my fellowship programme at the YALI Regional Leadership Centre Accra.
I however reiterate my preparedness to work more in these areas (SDGs 4 and 5) with you and yours. Thank you
