Stereotypes Of Aba Women

This article is trying to show the stereotype and the inequality in gender. Women have always been viewed as a weak individual who need the protection of men. However, in this article, the women stands up for their own rights and defend against themselves. They are fearless and united. The author is writing this article as a perspective of a women about how and why is there ‘Aba Women Riot’ in the historical event. It places emphasis on the courageous action of a women and that the men do not have total control over the women. The women do have a mind of their own. The ‘Aba Women Riot’ depicts that violence is a way for the minorities to be heard. Women did not really have a proper job then and having to pay taxes when they earn so little is
Women are not just a housewives and men are not the sole breadwinner. Women can go out to do some small jobs like trading to earn extra income for the family. They can also mingle with their friends outside and not having to stay at home all day to clean and take care of the house. (p. 1). This shows that women do have freedom and that the men were not in total control over them. They do have the power to earn money like men. Moreover, when they feel that they are subject to unfair treatment, they do not submit. The authorities are mostly men, but the women are not afraid and they do not back down easily. Instead, they fight back, showing that men are not that influential or powerful to make the women fear them. However, the article mentions that the women do depend on the husbands and that they cannot buy food themselves (p. 1) which implies that men are the breadwinner and the decision maker too. So, men do still have some power over women and that the women have to obey the men, showing
The second event is bias in saying that the women are completely powerless and that the women are dominated by men. The use of completely is too overpowering as a statement to judge the entire population of women. This argument may most likely come from a male individual who feels that women should obey the men and that the women are just a weak individual. On the other hand, the first argument is more generalized. There is clear evidence that men do have some dominance over women but women do have some freedom too. As the whole document is depicting of the women’s’ fight for their rights, it is clear that women will do anything to protect their interest and also that they are not completely powerless since they have the numbers and determination. The acts that the women did to protest against the taxation also shows that the women have the ability to protect their own interest. Adichie’s documentary makes me realize that there are two sides to everything and we should not let our prejudice and one sided stories told by someone else to judge a group of people. I like how she bring across these messages by using the examples of her life experiences of that just because Fidha is poor, it does not mean that they are not hardworking and not trying to have a better life. It also makes me reflect upon myself of how I view the Africans with sympathy and not empathy because of all the stories and images that