CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND MEN IN UMU-NRI COMMUNITIES OF ANAMBRA STATE, IN THE LIGHT OF GALATIANS 3:26-28

Humanity seems to be standing with one leg (man) instead of with two legs (Man and woman). Hence, humanity is limping. This paper critically studies the Rights of women and men in Umu-Nri communities in the light of Galatians 3:26-28. It is a fact that women in Africa and even in the Old Testament times have been enjoying subjugated rights. Women and children can be seen without being heard; hence, the Jewish correspondence on some of the miracles of Jesus in the New Testament (Matt 14:21; Mark 6:44; Luke 9:14; Matt 15:38) reported only the population of men and not that of women and children. These show that women and children were grouped in ancient times in the known world, including Jews, Africans, Nigerians, Igbo, and Umu-Nri. Where women stand on the same pedestal is in the area of building a family as far as procreation is concerned. This points to the fact that women in Nigeria face many challenges and discriminatory practices under some extant laws and customs. Such challenges include gender-based violence, limited political representation, and disparities in education and employment opportunities. This work aims to critically examine the rights of women in relation to their male counterparts in Umu-Nri communities in the light of Gal. 3:26-28. To achieve this, data were collected from primary and secondary sources. The collected data were analyzed using the historical-critical method of exegesis, textual criticism, and intercultural hermeneutics to arrive at a good conclusion. The writers discovered that mankind as a whole and Umu-Nri, in particular, are standing on one leg and it really affects everything. The work recommended, among other things, that all hands must be on deck for balance to be maintained in Umu-Nri. Significantly, this work will be of immense benefit to men and women of Umu-Nri Communities for them to respect one another’s rights and writers of all persuasions will use this paper to reset their minds’ set, to appreciate and understand that equality pays more than inequality.

Open Full Text (PDF)