The Role of Women in Nation Building
THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN NATION BUILDING
Tayo A. Zubair
Nation Building is a process of constructing and fashioning a national identity. The choice of these key words, process, and construction and fashioning are very fundamental because they are the basic ingredients of nation building. Taking a critical look at these words one will realize that nation building is indeed a process which takes place over a long period of time. It is gradual and not drastic or a sudden occurrence. Construction and fashioning are also very important in nation building because there are things to be constructed and fashioned out, both in physical and intangible terms. Fashioning here is a conscious effort at creating an identity and a national image. Among those things to construct and fashion out are behaviors, national image, values, institutions and even physical monuments that depict common history and culture of the people of the state.
Furthermore, national identity has to do with shared feelings among a people with a common or similar heritage, a sense of belonging to a common nation, a feeling of togetherness that is expressed through the sharing of a common national language, national anthem, show of respect for a common national flag, etc. Nation Building is also about forging a sense of unity among the various units of a country; it include making conscious efforts in uniting heterogeneous societies as one indivisible unit, united in national goals, believes and common national aspirations. It not only involves rebranding of image, but also includes the revamping, restructuring and reorientation of a nation.
Indeed, Nation building is different from State building, because while the later is more of building and strengthening states institutions which could also be from an outside influence, the later is more concerned with the building of a strong national identity. Moreover, it does not really require an outside involvement, but it does require the inputs from all sections
Tayo A. Zubair
Nation Building is a process of constructing and fashioning a national identity. The choice of these key words, process, and construction and fashioning are very fundamental because they are the basic ingredients of nation building. Taking a critical look at these words one will realize that nation building is indeed a process which takes place over a long period of time. It is gradual and not drastic or a sudden occurrence. Construction and fashioning are also very important in nation building because there are things to be constructed and fashioned out, both in physical and intangible terms. Fashioning here is a conscious effort at creating an identity and a national image. Among those things to construct and fashion out are behaviors, national image, values, institutions and even physical monuments that depict common history and culture of the people of the state.
Furthermore, national identity has to do with shared feelings among a people with a common or similar heritage, a sense of belonging to a common nation, a feeling of togetherness that is expressed through the sharing of a common national language, national anthem, show of respect for a common national flag, etc. Nation Building is also about forging a sense of unity among the various units of a country; it include making conscious efforts in uniting heterogeneous societies as one indivisible unit, united in national goals, believes and common national aspirations. It not only involves rebranding of image, but also includes the revamping, restructuring and reorientation of a nation.
Indeed, Nation building is different from State building, because while the later is more of building and strengthening states institutions which could also be from an outside influence, the later is more concerned with the building of a strong national identity. Moreover, it does not really require an outside involvement, but it does require the inputs from all sections