In Nigeria there were absurd traditions people carried out like if a woman lost her husband the brother of the man can take her in as his wife or the killing of twins in the south as they saw it as a form of bad omen then finally the one that seems like we've overcome but there are people still carrying out this act today which is denying female children a chance to inherit the father's property. When we talk about inheritance in a simple term is all about the transfer of property from parents to heirs, is a regular experience which almost every family regardless of socio-cultural settings must experience. However the transfer of properties to heirs or successors has become a big problem especially in the southern part of Nigeria.
Women are not honored with inheritance right; rather they were seen as materials or properties to be possessed by men. As a society, women were excluded from the distribution of inheritance, this explains the reason why whenever a woman lost her husband, the male relations quickly come around to take possession of the property of their brother or son, in fact, more often than not, and the widow is also regarded as part of the property to be inherited. Back then in Akwa Ibom State, daughters in the family had nothing to inherit from their fathers since they were seen as appropriate property to be inherited by men, they mostly inherited things like utensils, their mother‘s clothes which were given to the eldest daughter who would then distribute them to the rest of her sisters. Nevertheless, lands and other property went to the sons of the deceased.
I'll have you know that the believe that the properties should be given to only male children to handle contributed to the emphasis of people placing more value on having a male child than the females, women sent out of their home and reduced to nothing by families because they couldn't bear male children who will inherit her deceased husband properties with in-laws saying words like "who will keep the family name going" like its in their power to determine the children's gender.
I believe that retaining a culture that is oppressive is destroying the oppressed and culture is dynamic not static and can be changed, Parents also have a role as they should not place or prioritize a gender above the other in privileges and inheritance rights. Both male and female children have their responsibilities based on financial status, not gender. We should focus more on their ability individually rather than assuming the roles they should play based on their gender.
i hope with creating more awareness to the regions still practicing such traditions it will help women and the girl child have better opportunities and not being reduced to nothing when faced with such situations.
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