GLOBALLY, women folks are not relenting in their public outcries over alleged restrictions or infringements on their fundamental human rights in the public space.From Europe to Middle-East, America, Asia and Africa, the question of gender inequality, especially on how social system is structured in favour of the men folks, women say is a deliberate act to relegate them to the background.But at the 2nd Policy Dialogue of Muhammed Badihu Adebayo (MBA) Foundation, an Islamic scholar, the question of the long-held believe of inferiority of female gender over male's, was discarded and regarded, judging from Islamic perspective.The event, with the theme: 'The Role of Women in Societal Reform: The question of Gender Inequality', was held at the Ansarullah Hall, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Headquarters, Ojokoro, Lagos.Issues such as the traditional concept of gender (Yoruba and Ibo); gender in modern religion context (Islam and Christianity); law and gender, gender from the human rights perspective; the problem of gender for professional women and resolving gender inequality were discussed.At the end of each discussion, certain 'invaluable' recommendations were prescribed as best antidotes to liberate women's mind from the sentiment that they are inferior to their male counterpart.Among the lead discussants at the parley, were the representative of the National Council of Muslim Youth Organization (NACOMYO), Ahlaja Muhammad Solihu Hadyat; acting Head of Department (HOD) of Economics, Moshood Abiola University (MAU), Amir Moshood Adenrele; National President (Sadir) Lajna Imaiallah Ahmadiyya Muslim of Nigeria (Women Wing), Alhaja Bilquees Abdulquadir; General- Secretary of Jama-at-Ul Islammiyya Nigeria, Alhaja Khairat Sodique and the Administration -Secretary of Ahmadiyya Nigeria, Mr. Taoheed Shoboyede, among others.Shoboyede, who regarded the issue of gender inequality as an act of making steam out of a cup of tea, said 'there has been a contention everywhere but to me I don't think there is much to it, that is why God who created everything from the onset assigned everyone to his or her own role, and that is why parts of your body are not equal. If we are to be equal then, we won't be able to play the role expected of us.'He, however, distinguished the role of a woman in society, saying that a society evolves from the homes. He explained that if a woman neglected her responsibility in the family as the homemaker the society would end up breeding miscreants. 'I am not saying woman should not do any other thing but she has a major role to play. If you leave your primary responsibility to pursue a secondary responsibility and the primary is suffering, the society will bear the worst of it,' he added.Adenrele, who doubles as the chairman of the event, stressed on the importance of mutual co-existence between the male and female folks, saying such marriage was indispensable since both species need the other.According to him, 'without the husband and wife, there would be no succession. You can't underrate the role of any of them because it is inevitable.'Philosophically speaking, Adenrele said male gender can be interchanged for 'the sun' and that of the women 'the earth,' regarding both creation as indispensable to normal existence of mankind 'since without the sun the earth will not be and without the earth, the sun will be useless'.He also debunked the long-held belief that women are being marginalised from full participation in social activities, saying there was no such discrimination in Islam.He said that according to Islamic teaching, a woman is not allowed to lead, but can venture into desirable profession, not forgetting her major role assigned to her by God.Oyebola, who spoke on the traditional concept of gender, said in regards to the discourse that, ' our women are just looking for what have not been lost. In the Yoruba society, a woman is welcome in the family as a normal human being. From the onset, there has been no disputation about the question of girl being the first born child in the family,' he said.Looking at the women angle, Ahlaja Khairat also disputed the saying of gender inequality. In her words, ' there is no discrimination on whether a woman should be educated or not. She is allowed to participate in legislative issues and among others. But what we are saying is that, a woman has to do it in a way that her dignity will be preserved. The best thing that has ever happened to a Muslim woman is Islam because we are so free, we are allowed to participate in anything worth doing and nobody challenges you for it because it is your right'.She, however, challenged the modern day woman of misinterpretation, ' inequality is the concept of the modern day woman, equity is based on the fact that there are some things a woman can't do because of her nature. It is different from having the same rights and privileges. If a woman is asked not to lead as an Imam it is because of her structure which will be a form of distraction to the congregation,' she added.While appraising the discourse on gender equality and the law, Bashir said the advantage of a man being a leader is to the advantage of the woman and when it comes to woman, law is milder. ' Law is milder when it comes to women and crime but harsh when it comes to woman and employment.'According to him, the issue of inequality is the western ideas. ' It is just an initiation of America to create its class so that everyone will turn its neck towards them,' he added.
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