LAGOS/Nigeria: In a compelling exploration of gender dynamics, accomplished writer and communications strategist Ogochukwu Eloike delves into the heart of societal challenges in her latest book, ‘Ichabod.’ Eloike, known for her strategic acumen, articulates a powerful call for societal transformation and a departure from ingrained gender stereotypes.
The narrative within ‘Ichabod’ unfolds the intricate tapestry of the feminine experience, laying bare how societal attitudes trivialize these experiences, consequently widening the gender gap. Eloike not only diagnoses the issue but offers pragmatic solutions, delineating roles that society and individuals can play to embed equity and alleviate the escalating gender unease prevalent in contemporary times.
To launch the book, Eloike initiated a compelling campaign with hashtags #Ichabod and #ImEnough, providing a platform for women to voice and share their life experiences related to manifestations of gender inequity and its repercussions. Through these hashtags, women and girls share poignant stories of navigating life within patriarchal societies, elucidating how these experiences have profoundly shaped their life decisions.
Explaining the choice of the title, Eloike elucidates that “Ichabod,” with its biblical connotation of “lost glory,” symbolizes the myriad ways society has erred in the upbringing and education of girls, disproportionately favoring male children across various spheres.
Despite recent efforts to celebrate girls and women, Eloike observes that the socio-cultural foundation remains entrenched in patriarchy, citing the Nigerian Senate’s rejection of a gender-balanced house in 2021 as a vivid example.
The book provides a candid analysis of contemporary gender disparities, not confined to Nigeria but resonating globally. Eloike relies on a blend of real-life data sourced online and offline to measure the multifaceted drivers of abuses, dissatisfaction, and established differences between genders. The insights from the book serve as a clarion call to action, particularly in light of the alarming rise in gender-based violence, predominantly perpetrated by spouses or close family members.
Eloike expresses her hope that ‘Ichabod’ will catalyze a paradigm shift, urging societies to prioritize each other’s needs over attempts to subjugate and exert authority. The book underlines the necessity for stakeholders, starting from families, to challenge the status quo and actively engage in addressing the foundational causes of misogyny.
“Unhappy mothers are most likely to raise unhappy children,” Eloike notes, emphasizing the crucial role that various stakeholders, including government entities and religious establishments, must play in dismantling structural barriers to equity. The book, published by Parresia Publishers Ltd under the Origami imprint, reflects Eloike’s commitment to fostering positive change and challenging ingrained societal norms.
