Wife of Ekiti State governor Bisi Fayemi on Friday said she decided to be a feminist because she is lucky to be married to Governor Kayode Fayemi.
“I decided to be a feminist and defender of human rights because I was lucky to have married to someone who is a governor and has executive powers,” Mrs Fayemi said.
“We believe that we can use the political will and instrument of democracy to change our perspective about some things concerning women emancipation.”
Fayemi spoke in Ado-Ekiti at an event organised by Above Whispers Media Foundation in collaboration with the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) signposting the first public book reading of her latest book titled Where Is Your Wrapper? to mark the 2021 World Book Day.
Mrs Fayemi said feminism is gradually gaining ground in Nigeria owing to widespread belief that “women should have rights, should not be battered, should have education, should be economically self dependent and it is important for them to be protected.
“We must confront those issues that tend to undermine women. Women are entitled to live decent lives and that is why the government of Governor Kayode Fayemi is displaying that political will to support us to defend the female gender against abuses.
“In my own understanding of feminism, I can defend women who are being battered by their husbands, women who are well mannered, but I can’t defend those who are ill-mannered and rude. What I am fighting for is for them to achieve their full potentials.”
She further said it might be difficult for a female president to emerge in Nigeria anytime soon owing to the country’s political system.
“Nigeria is ripe for a female presidency, but we won’t have one anytime soon because those who are controlling power and in leadership positions have a way of keeping the female gender away from power,” she said.
“Despite this treatment, we are proud that we have women like Okonjo Iweala, who is the Director General of the World Trade Organisation, and others who are faces of respect to women.
“So, technically, we are ready for it. We have the people with exposure and education, but we have to build a system that will allow them realise their full potentials within the political space.”
