Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA), FCT chapter has called
on women to adopt the concept of “motherism’’ rather than feminism, which
is foreign and alien to the African
culture.
Mrs Halima Usman, Chairman of the association made this
known on Wednesday at a programme organised to celebrate women in literature
and national development.
The association particularly used the programme to celebrate
one of the foremost Nigeria authors, Prof. Catherine Acholonu who died in March
18, 2014 , and had many literary works, particularly her
book titled:
”Motherism”.
Also, Ex-NAWOJ chairperson advises women journalists to
learn extra skills for self reliance.
The Nigeria News Agency reports that the event was also
organised to commemorate the International Women’s Day
celebrated March 8 of every year.
“Feminism idea is a culture associated with the western
countries and civilised world, it is an opposite meaning to the concept of
motherism written by Prof. Acholonu.’’
She urged women to work towards giving their best and make
their impacts felt in the society instead of clamouring for gender equality
“that is contrary to the true culture of Africa’’.
According to her, in the book written by Acholonu, the
concept of motherism admonished women to take her pride of place in the society
and at the home front by showing total humility wherever they found themselves.
She said that the book portrayed the notion of respect by
all women instead of demanding for equality.
“In the northern part of the country where I come from,
there are some functions women are not allowed to perform, equality of women to
men is not practicable in the northern part, women must be dignified and
focused and complement their male counterparts,” she said.
According to her, Prof. Catherine Acholonu, who is being
celebrated with the programme has written so many books on issues that
redefined women in her little place in the society and her place in reshaping
the world.
She advised that women must emulate the virtue of Acholonu,
who she described as a hard worker who did not limit herself to literature
written but worked hard to contribute her quota to the nation development.
Mrs Nneka-Acholonu Egbuna, one of the daughters of the late professor, who described her mother as a visionary
woman, said that her book on motherism
encouraged women to be in partnership
with the men”.
“Our mother was not a feminist, her book was on motherism;
and motherism is all about nurturing; a man can be a father and nurture a
woman, so why don’t we go back to African culture where men and women are in
partnership as described by our mum”.
Mrs Ifunaya-Brown Okoroafor, Acholonu’s eldest daughter,
said that feminism was doing more harm, adding that there was need to delve
into motherism as portrayed by her mother.
Okoroafor said her mother was a woman of many parts, who did
not follow the crowd but was focused and was determined to achieve something.
“We wish to spread the work of her hand and tell the world
that feminism is doing more harm than good, the world needs to know that there
is need to delve into motherism as a way of working with the men to create a
balanced society,” she
said.
Prof. Mabel Evwierhoma, a lecturer in the Faculty of Arts,
University of Abuja urged women writers who inhabit the world of literature to
constitute major pillars of development for the country.
According to her, the role of the woman in all spheres of
development must be concrete and palpable that will make her an epitome of
goodness to bring results.
“I use this opportunity to recommend that women writers
should network and build bridges and consensus. Efforts to mainstream creative writing into the curriculum at
early childhood education stage should continue and women should continue to
shape the dialogue for equity and equality through literature.’’ She said.
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