Hauwa Ibrahim took part in a roundtable discussion with the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) on Thursday 20 June.
The discussion was one of a series of events the Nigerian human rights lawyer attended in Dublin as part of her tour as the 2005 winner of the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
After a brief introduction to her work in northern Nigeria and abroad, Ibrahim opened the discussion to the small group gathered, with attention turning specifically to the feminist aspects of her work.
Laura Maloney, project development worker of the NCWI’s ‘Y-Factor’ project, queried Ibrahim as to the reaction of women’s movements worldwide, and in Nigeria, to her work within and around a legal system that Ibrahim herself described as “sounding difficult, strange, and barbaric” to outsiders.
While Ibrahim said she found solidarity in many places abroad – such as a strong rally by South African women – the women of northern Nigeria gave little support. In fact, the Federation of Islamic Women Organisation condemned her, accusing her of interpreting Islam “sensationally”.
Ibrahim believes the lack of female support in the region corresponds to a lack of education, citing a female literacy rate of just 20 per cent, compared to 80 per cent in southern parts of the country.
“When you are not educated, you are easy to persuade. You will believe things [that are] obviously untrue,” she said.
When asked about her own feminist leanings, Ibrahim said that opinion towards gender equality is changing slowly in Nigeria, despite asserting that to use the word ‘feminism’ in Nigeria would “ruin us”.
Ibrahim stressed the need to work together towards gender equality, regardless of individual differences.
“The more visible women, and there are increasingly visible women in Nigeria, the better,” she said. “Nobody can shine alone and shine properly. A lone star casts little light; more light is always better.”
The other roundtable participants were particularly interested in Ibrahim’s interpretation of Sharia law, which has been criticised for its strong patriarchal biases and its implementation against women.
“It’s incredible, using that which oppresses us to set us free,” said Maloney, referring to Ibrahim’s commitment to acquitting women and furthering their rights via Sharia principles.
Others remarked at the end that they would also consider the possibility of seeking equality within existing systems, rather than fighting against them.
“I fight my cases with knowledge, not sentiment,” said Ibrahim. “We are taking baby steps, getting there gradually.”
