is regarded as a favour to a girl and not as a right. It is believed that all there is to a womans life is marriage and children, therefore, females lives are determined before they are born. Men believe that they are superior to women and use religious and cultural stereotypes to justify their beliefs and use this to dehumanize and oppress women. Patriarchy means a community where males are regarded as supreme in all aspects of daily life. It is through patriarchy that violence agasint women developed, men feel that violence is power. For example, men believe that decisions must always be made by them (Oduaran & Okukpon, 1997). Nwaneri (1998) states that, "Due to all these stereotypes women live at a disadvantage and under conditions that favor men who claim to be the ones with authority to articulate the nations culture and politics (p. 40).Nwaneri (1998) sees that power against women can be eqaulized if: * Violence against women is stopped: the most common type is domestic violence which is not tkane seriously by either the civil society or law enforcement. * Violation of womens rights should be stopped: women should own property and land, women should speak up and be heard because owmens rights are humans rights. * Empowerment of women: for a woman to be empowered she has to be prepared for all forms of challenges, she has to know what she is actually struggling for. * Self-esteem: women should assert their rights firmly and with complete confidence. Establish your personality in the society, form female groups, raise your consiousness and esteem. Assert your rights politely and stand up for them. Assertiveness goes along with empowerment. * Make your values and stand known: Say No to stereotyped upbringing. Girls should be brought up to know their worth and rights. Invest on todays girls for tomorrows women (p. 40).Nwneri encourages all Nigerians stating, "We should take part in the political, social and economic dec...
