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I know we all make jokes about how @ozzyetomi lives rent free in the heads of disgruntled misogynists and their women allies.
I know we whose activism is mainly on social media have also been told timelessly that the “real” work exists offline.
A view I’m uncomfortable with.
I know we whose activism is mainly on social media have also been told timelessly that the “real” work exists offline.
A view I’m uncomfortable with.
I don’t know what Ozzy said again that’s making y’all come for her or making her trend.
It’s however calls for an amusing introspection, that Nigerians have this level of anger and vitriol towards a woman whose activism is majorly online through her blog, writing and Twitter.
It’s however calls for an amusing introspection, that Nigerians have this level of anger and vitriol towards a woman whose activism is majorly online through her blog, writing and Twitter.
If social media activism is not “real” work, why are people so hell bent of ensuring that Ozzy is silent?
Is it not cause they realize the power that comes with women speaking our truth in a bold manner to other women?
Is it not because it’s harder for them to control us here?
Is it not cause they realize the power that comes with women speaking our truth in a bold manner to other women?
Is it not because it’s harder for them to control us here?
Social media activism and offline work go hand in hand.
Before you can rally and get women onto the streets or even in the workplace,
you have to raise awareness and discuss the importance of knowing our rights to fellow women.
Before you can rally and get women onto the streets or even in the workplace,
you have to raise awareness and discuss the importance of knowing our rights to fellow women.
I’m currently reading Ake by Prof Wole Soyinka which also chronicles the Egba 10,000 Women’s March led by Chief Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.
A key aspect I took from the events leading up to the dethronement of the Alake,
was that the women gathered each week to share stories.
A key aspect I took from the events leading up to the dethronement of the Alake,
was that the women gathered each week to share stories.
They gathered to teach other women how to read and write.
And most importantly, they gathered to create awareness.
In that setting, without social media, what Eniola Soyinka and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti were doing would be known as “feminist consciousness raising”.
And most importantly, they gathered to create awareness.
In that setting, without social media, what Eniola Soyinka and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti were doing would be known as “feminist consciousness raising”.
It was the awareness of these mostly market women of their rights, that led them to admit that they were being harrased by tax collectors led by the Alake.
This is in turn led to meetings to dethrone him.
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti’s home was the physical gathering then.
This is in turn led to meetings to dethrone him.
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti’s home was the physical gathering then.
In our own time, social media has become the virtual gathering space where we come to discuss and share stories, opinions and ways to move forward as Nigerian women.
Check every major Nigerian feminist march or movement in the past three years,
they started on here.
Check every major Nigerian feminist march or movement in the past three years,
they started on here.
Even the current wave of women speaking out against rape, can be attributed to the power of social media.
On here, I have met women who have linked me to job opportunities, who have financed me for them and who most importantly have shown incredible support.
On here, I have met women who have linked me to job opportunities, who have financed me for them and who most importantly have shown incredible support.
Social media for the African woman has also proven to be a tool of financial liberation.
Every day I see my good sis @dojarabbit advertise her cakes on here while being intentional about women.
I haven’t met her in person but she is the sole baker for any event my feminist,
Every day I see my good sis @dojarabbit advertise her cakes on here while being intentional about women.
I haven’t met her in person but she is the sole baker for any event my feminist,
group @AsEqualsAfrica organizes.
If your activism is mainly done on social media, please feel no shame.
It is even elitist to measure feminist progress *only* by the presence of women in boardrooms.
That said, write your blogs. Start your podcasts or just tweet.
It’s enough.
If your activism is mainly done on social media, please feel no shame.
It is even elitist to measure feminist progress *only* by the presence of women in boardrooms.
That said, write your blogs. Start your podcasts or just tweet.
It’s enough.
