Follow Us on Google
From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
A Professor of Criminology at the Kaduna State University (KASU), Hauwa Evelyn Yusuf, has said women are the movers and shakers of the world, and should be allowed by the power-that-be to speak out for their rights, and not to be silenced.
Prof. Yusuf, who spoke yesterday on the topic, ‘Celebrating women’s efforts in peace building,’ to mark the 2025 International Women’s Day, urged women not to shy away from speaking out whenever their rights were being trampled.
She pointed out that “there is Natasha in every woman; all of you women seated here, there is Natasha in you. You must speak out and defend your rights.”
The event was organised by PAGED Initiative in partnership with Global Peace Women and similar other organisations.
The Criminologist said women need more voices to be able to be in positions of power to make decisions for themselves and their children.
“My charge to all women all over the world, not just the women in this hall, is that a woman is the voice that should not be silenced. A woman should speak up for her rights, not being confrontational but being assertive.
“Women should know that they deserve the right to live, that they are the movers and shakers of the world and that they should speak out against injustice. It is very important for us to know that an injury to one is an injury to all. Women have not been given fair hearing in this country. Women need more voices, women need to grow and be empowered.
“How do we do this? More women should go to school. More women should be more economically independent. More women should be made to be in positions where they can take decisions that concern them and their children,” she said. Fielding questions from journalists about the controversial Natasha/Akpabio sex harassment issue, she said: “I am also Natasha. That is my message. I am also Natasha because Natasha is a woman who has rights, who has privileges. I don’t like saying privileges, as a woman I don’t take privileges from men but I know what my rights are.
“Natasha had the right to stand and speak in the Senate because she is an elected Senator and should be given that right to speak and speak what is on her mind. It is okay if after she had spoken for the Senate to decide not to take what he has said, but she should be allowed to voice it out. Women should be allowed to voice out their rights,” she added.
