HomeNews
News

How Women Powered Nigeria’s #ENDSARS Movement

Law & Society Magazine
By Law & Society Magazine
104
191

The movement to hold the Nigerian police force’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad accountable for its crimes has been driven by female activists.

Odunayo Eweniyi, one of Nigeria’s trailblazing tech entrepreneurs and the COO of the app PiggyVest. Wine and Whine was very successful, and Odufuwa and Eweniyi felt inspired to start a new venture with a focus “on education, financial freedom and representation of women in public office.”ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW

‘‘Over the past few years, Nigerian women and activists have crowdfunded on Twitter to support other women and girls who have experienced gender-based violence,” Odufuwa told ELLE.com. ‘‘These funds were used for legal aid, education, mental health support, housing, and shelter, etc. [Eweniyi] and I wanted to do more than just support or crowdfund donations intermittently. We also felt the fight for women’s rights needed to include financial freedom for women and many changes to the misogynistic laws and norms in Nigeria. But we knew we couldn’t do this alone.”

So in July 2020, Odufuwa and her contacts decided to come together to create a coalition of women who were passionate about making their country and the role of women in it better. They called it the Feminist Coalition, and they had no idea how soon their dream of changing Nigeria would become a reality.

damilola odufuwa, cofounder of the feminist coalition

Damilola Odufuwa, co-founder of the Feminist Coalition.AISHA IFE

In the early weeks of October 2020, videos made the rounds on social media showing members of the Nigerian Police Force’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad, shooting at, harassing and killing unarmed citizens. The videos appeared alongside increased reports from hundreds of Nigerians in different parts of the country all confirming an increase in brutality and harassment of citizens by the SARS unit. These reports all seemed to corroborate a simple fact: SARS, which was created to tackle violent crimes like kidnapping, murder and armed robbery, appeared guilty of committing the very crimes it was created to fight against, on the citizens it was created to protect. Within days of these videos spreading on social media, young Nigerians—first all around the country, then all around the world—took to the streets demanding the Nigerian government put an end to the infamous unit.

As the #ENDSARS movement gained significant momentum, many insisted the protests remained leaderless. On social media and in real life, Nigerians took to screaming ‘#ENDSARS no get leader, na all of us be the leader,” a phrase in the Nigerian vernacular that translates to “#ENDSARS doesn’t have one leader, we are all the leaders of it.” When pushed to pick a leader by government officials, organizers referred to the people who were killed, and said they were the leaders. But even as the movement remains without any one leader or governing body, behind the scenes, it’s largely being run by Nigerian women. RELATED STORYWhat to Know About #EndSARS

One of the first actual #ENDSARS protests of 2020 was organized in part by Rinu Oduala, a social media influencer who coordinated protesters in Lagos to head to the state government house. And one of the most viral images from the protests features Aisha Yesufu, a Nigerian Muslim woman and community organizer, who had marched with protesters in Abuja and was the only person who didn’t run when the police force in the Nigerian capital shot at protesters. Popular podcaster Feyikemi Abudu and lawyer Moe Odele are among other women who contributed greatly to the movement and helped create a network across the country that ensures the safety and release of protesters who were illegally detained. Although neither women are members of the Feminist Coalition, they worked with it to create and maintain these networks.

ire aderinokun, nigeria’s first frontend developer and a founding member of the feminist coalition

Ire Aderinokun, Nigeria’s first female Google developer expert and a founding member of the Feminist Coalition.KUNMI OWOPETUADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW

Indeed, it’s hard to believe the Feminist Coalition wasn’t created for this moment and this movement. It’s even harder to believe it started planning for the demonstrations within days and was able to fund arguably the biggest and most organized protest in Nigeria in recent memory while remaining accountable and transparent with every kobo (the smallest denomination of Naira) it spent.

‘‘Believe it or not, all this was organized over a one-hour phone call,’’ Ire Aderinokun, Nigeria’s first female Google developer expert and a founding member of the Feminist Coalition, told ELLE.com. ‘‘We’ve regularly had monthly meetings since our inception, but we had not started on any projects yet. When we saw what was happening, we quickly decided we would take this on as our first project. We wanted to play our part and everyone was in agreement and very quickly stepped up. We joke that this was a baptism by fire. We designed a logo, set up the website, got some copy assets together, set up our social media, set up the donation accounts, the request forms, the tracking sheets; Feminist Coalition as it’s known today was literally a reality overnight. This was only possible because every founding member is at the top of her game. We handled it the same way we handle our professional work, and brought the same amount of focus and dedication to the table.’’This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

There’ll be some traction to the #endsars movement when women organize around it.— Ozzy Etomi (@ozzyetomi) October 4, 2020

As historic as this is, it’s not the first time Nigerian women have been at the forefront of movements like this. The women of Nigeria have been leading, organizing, and maintaining the momentum of movements since colonial Nigeria. Recent movements like the fight to return the kidnapped Chibok girls and #ArewaMeToo—a form of the global #MeToo movement which focused on Northern Nigeria and was founded by Fakhus Hashim—are just two recent examples. It’s this history that made writer and communications strategist Oseyi Etomi tweet about the #ENDSARS movement just days before the protests gained significant global momentum. “There’ll be some traction to the #ENDSARS movement when women organize around it,” she wrote. She was right. Women—in particular feminist Nigerian women—organizing around #ENDSARS has been a significant reason the movement and protests have been sustained for as long as they have been, and why they’ve had such a global impact.

ozzy etomi, a writer and communications strategist

Ozzy Etomi, a writer and communications strategist.LAKIN OGUNBANWO STUDIOS

‘‘When you look back in history, women have always been at the forefront of organizing, especially when it comes to serving the community.’’ Etomi told ELLE.com. ‘‘This was no different. One thing you will see in common with, I’d say, almost all if not every woman who was at the forefront of organizing was that we are all feminist women—we have a strong sense of social justice and a desire for an equal society. An injustice to anyone is an injustice to us all, and there is an understanding that no one is free until we are all free. It just continues to show that women are an underestimated asset to society and that we need more women in leadership roles and at every level of governance including the highest seat in the country.’’

“An injustice to anyone is an injustice to us all, and there is an understanding that no one is free until we are all free.”

Within seven days of organizing around the movement, Feminist Coalition was able to fund over 154 protests around Nigeria with N20,188,280 (approximately $52,000), and by October 21 it raised a total of N77,190,305 (approximately $198,000). Beyond the impressive crowdfunding numbers, what’s perhaps the most striking for many Nigerians is the consistent transparency of Feminist Coalition; at the end of every day, it updates the public on how much has been raised and in what currency, and how much has been disbursed and for what. This transparency has been praised almost as much as the group’s efficiency—two qualities many Nigerians note their government lacks. Within Nigeria, a country where misogyny is rife and encouraged and where several patriarchal laws are still in place, the splash and impact made by Feminist Coalition is a win in and of itself.

layo ogunbanwo, vp of product at piggyvest and another founding member of the feminist coalition

Layo Ogunbanwo, VP of Product at PiggyVest and another founding member of the Feminist Coalition.LUMIOGUNDE

When the #ENDSARS protests got bloody on October 20, when members of the Nigerian army reportedly arrived at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos and shot and murdered dozens, Feminist Coalition turned its focus from sustaining physical protests—which are being discouraged to avoid further casualties—to paying out the bills of injured protesters, as well as working with other organizers to ensure peaceful protesters across the country that were arrested and wrongfully jailed are set free. Now, s in-person protests slow, the women of Feminist Coalition have been the targets of significant backlash. The names of the founding members were included in a recent lawsuit accusing them of encouraging domestic unrest, and the government denied several reports speculating that the women placed on a no-fly list that barred them from leaving the country. Despite the government’s denial, lawyer Odele, who has worked to release #ENDSARS protesters, was prevented from leaving the country and even temporarily had her passport seized. Still, the women of the Feminist Coalition are excited about turning their sights back to and focusing on their core goal of fighting against the oppression that is part of the daily lives of Nigerian women, and ensuring more feminist Nigerian women are placed in positions of power.

‘‘This is one of our founding pillars. We realize that beyond activism from the fringes of governance, we need more women with feminist values in actual power,’’ Layo Ogunbanwo told ELLE.com. ‘‘There are many other organizations, such as ElectHer, that are also advocating for women in public office. This shows a definite mindset shift in how we are approaching women’s rights, and understanding the importance of women in governance. We want more capable women to step up and we are ready to throw our support behind them.’’

Ellen.com

Previous article
SHOCKER! How Nigerian Girls Are Trafficked To Germany For Prostitution Using Jazz | See Real Life Stories!
Next article
Lekki Tollgate Shooting:Buratai Debunks CNN’s Claims
Law & Society Magazine
Law & Society Magazinehttps://lawandsocietymagazine.com

Related Articles

104 COMMENTS

  14. These are really enormous ideas in regarding blogging.
    You have touched some nice factors here. Any way keep up wrinting.

    Also visit my web-site – Linda

  16. Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to
    say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts.
    In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!

    my website – oyunundibi.com

  18. I’ll immediately clutch your rss as I can not in finding your email subscription link or e-newsletter service.
    Do you have any? Kindly allow me realize so that I may subscribe.
    Thanks.

    Feel free to visit my web page gyanbodh.com

  21. Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources
    back to your website? My blog site is in the exact same area of interest as yours and my users
    would definitely benefit from some of the information you provide
    here. Please let me know if this okay with you.
    Regards!

    my web page … 1069.club

  23. Hi, I do think this is a great website. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going
    to return once again since i have bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way
    to change, may you be rich and continue to guide others.

    Take a look at my website go to

  28. I am really loving the theme/design of your web site.
    Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems?
    A handful of my blog visitors have complained about my site not operating
    correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome.
    Do you have any advice to help fix this problem?

    Feel free to visit my web-site; cosplay halloween costumes

  33. I do not even know the way I ended up right here, however I thought this post used
    to be good. I don’t know who you’re but certainly
    you’re going to a well-known blogger when you aren’t already.
    Cheers!

    Feel free to surf to my web-site – deadpool costume for sale

  34. Fantastic blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

    I’m hoping to start my own website soon but I’m a little
    lost on everything. Would you advise starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many
    choices out there that I’m totally confused .. Any tips?
    Kudos!

    Stop by my web page :: mttcoin.com

  35. Hello there, I found your website by the use of Google at
    the same time as searching for a similar topic, your website got
    here up, it appears to be like good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hello there, simply changed into alert to your blog via Google, and
    found that it is really informative. I’m gonna be careful
    for brussels. I’ll be grateful should you continue this in future.
    A lot of other folks shall be benefited out of your writing.
    Cheers!

    Check out my web-site https://www.52miaomu.com/space-uid-176252.html

  36. Hey there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after browsing through some of the post I
    realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely happy
    I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back often!

    My page captain america cosplay costume

  37. Appreciating the commitment you put into your website and detailed information you provide.
    It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t
    the same out of date rehashed material. Great read!
    I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS
    feeds to my Google account.

    Feel free to visit my page – https://zzb.bz/7u4tZ

  40. Great article! This is the type of information that
    should be shared across the web. Disgrace on the seek engines for not
    positioning this post higher! Come on over and talk over with my web site .

    Thanks =)

    my website discuss

  41. Howdy! This post could not be written any better!

    Reading through this post reminds me of my previous
    room mate! He always kept talking about this.

    I will forward this write-up to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read.
    Many thanks for sharing!

    Also visit my blog post :: manchesterclopedia.win

  51. We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme
    in our community. Your web site offered us with valuable information to work on. You have done an impressive job and our whole community will be grateful to you.

    My web-site 5alij.com

  52. Hi! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga
    group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your
    content. Please let me know. Thanks

    Look at my web-site – jinmuniu.com

  53. Its like you learn my mind! You seem to grasp so much approximately this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
    I think that you just can do with some % to pressure
    the message home a little bit, but other than that, that is great blog.
    An excellent read. I will certainly be back.

    My webpage professional cosplay costumes

  56. Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search
    Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted
    keywords but I’m not seeing very good results.
    If you know of any please share. Appreciate it!

    Feel free to surf to my website gonzalocanestrini.blogspot.com

  57. I have been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or
    weblog posts in this kind of house . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this site.

    Reading this information So i am glad to exhibit that I’ve a very just right uncanny feeling
    I came upon just what I needed. I most unquestionably
    will make sure to do not forget this site and give it a glance regularly.

    Also visit my web page – xcjs11.com

  58. Whats up are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own.
    Do you need any coding knowledge to make your own blog?

    Any help would be really appreciated!

    my web-site :: answers.codelair.com

  62. Hi there! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice
    from an established blog. Is it difficult to set up your own blog?
    I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast.
    I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to start.
    Do you have any tips or suggestions? With thanks

    Here is my web page: https://digitaltibetan.win/wiki/Post:New_Article_Reveals_The_Low_Down_On_Best_Minecraft_Mods_And_Why_You_Should_Take_Motion_Right_This_Moment

  63. What’s Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered
    It positively useful and it has helped me out loads. I’m hoping to give a contribution & assist different customers like its helped me.

    Good job.

    my web page bitcarxchange.com

  64. I don’t know if it’s just me or if everybody else encountering problems with your website.
    It seems like some of the written text in your content are running off
    the screen. Can someone else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them too?
    This may be a problem with my internet browser because I’ve had this happen before.
    Appreciate it

    Have a look at my web page: maltafawuq.net

  65. Thanks a lot for sharing this with all people you actually recognize what you are speaking approximately!

    Bookmarked. Please additionally discuss with my website =).

    We may have a hyperlink alternate arrangement among us

    My site; motogpdb.racing

  66. Hello I am so happy I found your web site,
    I really found you by error, while I was looking on Bing for
    something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say thanks
    a lot for a incredible post and a all round entertaining blog (I also
    love the theme/design), I don’t have time to look over
    it all at the minute but I have saved it and
    also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great
    deal more, Please do keep up the superb b.

    My homepage: talktoislam.com

  67. Hello! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where
    I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog
    platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one?
    Thanks a lot!

    Here is my web site spider-man cosplay costumes

  69. I have to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this site.

    I am hoping to see the same high-grade content by you later on as well.
    In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my very own blog now 😉

    Feel free to visit my blog post; https://www.oneherosuits.com/

  71. Do you have a spam issue on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I was wanting to know your situation; many of us have developed some nice procedures and we
    are looking to swap techniques with other folks, why not shoot me an e-mail if interested.

    Stop by my web-site :: coderwall.com

  74. I don’t know whether it’s just me or if everybody else
    experiencing issues with your site. It appears as if some of the
    written text within your content are running off the screen.
    Can someone else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them too?
    This might be a problem with my browser because I’ve had this happen before.
    Thanks

    Here is my web-site; http://5alij.com/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=outputcongo03

  75. Fantastic items from you, man. I’ve bear in mind your stuff previous to and you are just extremely
    wonderful. I actually like what you’ve acquired here, certainly
    like what you’re stating and the best way in which you say it.
    You’re making it entertaining and you still take care
    of to keep it wise. I can’t wait to read far more from you.
    This is actually a great web site.

    Here is my webpage – http://www.transtats.bts.gov

  77. Hi there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for
    my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems finding one?
    Thanks a lot!

    Feel free to visit my blog – yatirimciyiz.net

  79. I’ve been browsing on-line greater than 3 hours these days, but I by no means found any
    attention-grabbing article like yours. It’s pretty price sufficient for me.
    In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers made just right content material as you did,
    the net can be a lot more helpful than ever before.

    Feel free to surf to my web page :: http://qnbuz.net/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=levelroute0

  80. This design is spectacular! You certainly know how to keep a reader entertained.
    Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Wonderful
    job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
    Too cool!

    Here is my webpage – xn--b3c5a2agl7a4a5r.com

  87. When someone writes an paragraph he/she keeps the plan of a user
    in his/her brain that how a user can understand it. Thus that’s why
    this post is great. Thanks!

    Also visit my web page – discuss

  89. I do believe all the ideas you’ve presented
    on your post. They are very convincing and can definitely work.
    Nonetheless, the posts are too brief for beginners. May you please extend them a little from
    subsequent time? Thanks for the post.

    Look into my web blog picomart.trade

  91. An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker
    who was doing a little research on this. And he actually ordered me dinner due to the fact that I discovered it for him…
    lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time
    to discuss this issue here on your web site.

    My website – http://wiki.goldcointalk.org/index.php?title=Think_Your_Minecraft_Server_Is_Safe_Ten_Methods_Youll_Be_Able_To_Lose_It_At_Present

  94. Do you have a spam problem on this website; I also am a blogger, and I
    was wondering your situation; we have developed some nice practices
    and we are looking to trade methods with other folks, be sure to
    shoot me an e-mail if interested.

    my web-site; cosplay halloween costumes

  98. It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to
    be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to suggest
    you some interesting things or suggestions.
    Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article.
    I wish to read even more things about it!

    my web blog; http://www.mazafakas.com

  99. Hello there, I found your web site by the use of Google whilst looking for a related matter, your web site came up, it
    looks great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hello there, just was aware of your blog via Google, and located that it is truly informative.
    I am going to be careful for brussels. I will be grateful should
    you proceed this in future. A lot of other folks might be benefited out of your
    writing. Cheers!

    Feel free to visit my blog post https://ello.co/minecraft-servers

  101. Hi would you mind stating which blog platform you’re using?

    I’m going to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a hard time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your layout seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something
    completely unique. P.S My apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!

    my page … squareblogs.net

  102. An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a
    colleague who had been doing a little homework
    on this. And he in fact bought me dinner simply because I
    found it for him… lol. So let me reword this….
    Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to discuss
    this subject here on your web page.

    Stop by my page :: http://3000et.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=45837

  103. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate
    your efforts and I am waiting for your next post thanks once again.

    Here is my web page – radnik.pl

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Stay Connected

1,167,000FansLike
34,567FollowersFollow
1,401,000FollowersFollow
0SubscribersSubscribe
- Advertisement -

Latest Articles

Load more

Law & Society Magazine is a general interest magazine with a bias for law and its effects on the society

Contact us: [email protected]

© 2024 Copyright - Law & Society Magazine