In April of 2014, young schoolgirls were kidnapped from a school in Chibok by an Islamic group known as Boko Haram. The extremists do not believe in educating young women and are particularly hateful of the Western influenced education in Nigeria. They believe that schooling should follow traditional Islamic teaching. The kidnapped girls were presumably taken into the Sambisa Forest where they were held and taken in for cooks, sex slaves, and sold for a bride price.
Reflection: I find it outrageous that an Islamic group would call for their teachings in a city that is primarily Christian. I'm even more shocked at the Nigerian government's lack of response. The actual number of young women missing was never even fully disclosed. Boko Haram is not a unknown name in Nigeria, they've murdered and kidnapped men and women on numerous occasions. It's alarming to think that the Nigerian police or military can't enable their troops fast enough to respond to these terrorist groups.
I think Boko Haram's view of women highlights the gender gap still prevalent in African society. While most Nigerian's probably don't feel as extremely as Boko Haram does, there is still the general consensus that women do not belong among the educated in society. It will take multiple generations change attitudes about women in society.
Written By: Holly Yan
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