“Women: A Needed Force in Politics and the Polity”
A paper delivered by Chief Folake Solanke, SAN, Guest Speaker at the 5th Memorial Lecture in Honour of the late Dr Olusegun Agagu CON at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday, September 13th, 2018
“....BOTH MEN AND WOMEN HAVE TO COOPERATE TO END MALE DOMINANCE, WHICH, FROM THE DAWN OF HISTORY, HAS TENDED TO DISPARAGE WOMEN, AND TREAT THEM AS THE INFERIOR GENDER”
PAppreciation The Theme
ermit me to express my deep appreciation for the invitation extended to me by the Agagu Foundation, to participate in this year's discourse. It is both my joy and a personal duty, to participate in this propitious remembrance event, as the Guest Speaker.
I am obliged to analyse the theme of this event. It is local, global and germane. The word “needed" in the theme, is pivotal. A person is needed in a situation, if that person has a meaningful contribution to make, in order to add value to the situation at hand. Consequently, the capacity of the contributor has to be examined. In the context of the theme being interrogated, women must have the capacity to add value to "politics and the polity" for good governance.
Capacity of Women
This contention, compels us to examine the capacity and background of women. That interrogation involves the consideration of where women were coming from, where they now are, and where they are going in the society. It is postulated that we will do well to begin from the very beginning - "id est" from the creation of the world by God. Let us now consider the attributes of women which will qualify them to constitute a "needed force in politics and the polity". Thus, the background of the women folk must be tested for that societal role. Let us also examine the story of the origin of creation by God in the Garden of Eden, starring Adam and Eve -Genesis 1:27 goes thus:
In the Garden of Eden
in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."
"So God created man in his own image,
A note in the "Holy Bible of Living Translation Red Letter", has a very interesting and illuminating articulation of the above quoted verse in the following words:-
"God made both man and woman in his own image. Neither man nor woman was made more in the image of God more than the other. From the beginning, the Bible places both man and woman at the pinnacle of God's creation. Neither sex is exalted, and neither is depreciated."
Brilliant! It is postulated that, the compelling statements that God created man and woman in "his own image" is an undeniable testament to gender equality bestowed by God, and is therefore, superior to any other Biblical suggestion to the contrary as expressed, for example, by St. Paul the Apostle- the greatest evangelist of all time- in I Timothy 2:11-13 thus:
"11. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
12. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13. No doubt, St. Paul was relying on the chauvinistic culture of his time.
No doubt, St. Paul was relying on the chauvinistic culture of his time.
The interpretation of verse 27, is very reassuring for the female gender. There is gender equality before God our creator! Halleluyah, Praise God. Certainly, the fact that the woman was created as “an help meet for him" (Genesis 2:20), does not make her inferior to him.
It is advocated that, regardless of the role of the man or the woman in the society, in the context of what God did in the Garden of Eden, women can boldly rely on this Biblical verse to claim gender equality. And, it is when women enjoy full equality with men, that the needed force of women in politics and the polity can be realised.
Gender Equality
However, despite God's original example of gender equality, what a monumental struggle women have had over the centuries, and even now, to demand respect and their equal participation in politics and the polity.
The Role of Women and Men
It is trite to say that, the society is made up of men and women. Most statistics show that women are more in number than men in the world, and they live longer, despite the horrendous discriminatory obstacles which they daily confront. Consequently, it is plain that both men and women are needed for national development, through which politics and the polity can thrive. Consequently, no nation can attain its greatest potential without the full and joint participation of men and women. It is canvassed that, society must not diminish the contribution of women to the society. In that context, both men and women have to cooperate to end male dominance, which, from the dawn of history, has tended to disparage women, and treat them as the inferior gender.
Gender Prejudice against Women Politicians
Indeed, there is the gender prejudice to be encountered by women politicians. There is still a long way to go, to persuade some men that women have both the fundamental human right and ability to hold the highest office in any country. However, it is hereby acknowledged that, no woman can succeed in politics, without spousal and home support. This postulation is true for any other women's endeavour, be it in a professional or business enterprise. Lack of support by a husband, can lead to tension in the home. Such a tension, can easily lead to a breakdown of a marital relationship, which usually is disastrous for all concerned in the family. Thus, an attitudinal change towards gender equality must be promoted among the older generation, and must also be inculcated early in life into the youth.
My plea to women, is to support deserving women for elective office - strictly on merit. Let us reject the aphorism: "Women are women's worst enemies. Be informed that, " Professor Remi Sonaiya of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, Ibadan Nigeria was a 2015 presidential candidate, and is now aspiring to contest the 2019 presidential election. We wish her success and commend her courage and determination.
Revolution of Women Suffragettes
In the ages past, women could not even vote, only land owners could vote. Over hundred years ago, the Women Suffragettes, in England, after nineteen Bills on vote for women had been presented to parliament and were dismissed,
"brevi manu" the women leaders had to change their tactics from peaceful protests to violent protests and breaches of the law, as reported in the media. An example of that reportage in the Daily Mail, Tuesday June 5, 2018 Page 59 is as follows:-
"When it became apparent that peaceful leafleting and rallies were producing no results, the Women's Social & Political Union (WSPU) decided to up their game. "
"They printed their own newspaper, they wore branded sashes and invited sympathetic journalists to work with them- the sort of campaign today' s celebs would pay a PR agency a small fortune for.
In 1907, they made imprisonment their own. The idea of middle class ladies in Holloway jail was shocking and attracted the press coverage they so desperately needed.
But how to ensure they would be incarcerated? Simple. They assaulted policemen to get arrested and then didn't pay their fines. By 1909, they went on political hunger strike, which led to them being force fed.
They described the sensation of drowning of their eyes feeling like they were going to burst.
No wonder a group of 117 doctors wrote to Prime Minister Asquith, urging him to stop this 'beastly and revolting procedure'. By 1913, terrorist tactics were being used and it took the outbreak of World War I for a truce to be called."
It is almost inconceivable, to contemplate to what indescribable torment the women desperately and resolutely surrendered themselves, so that their status as equal human beings like the men could be recognised. And the torture of women only ended, because the service of women was needed to wage the war! What an unjust and wicked scandal perpetuated by men against women.
The Law
Indeed, even the law itself was not kind to women, because in law "women, children and lunatics" were lumped together" in their legal status, which was an incredible degradation of, and contempt for women.
Male Chauvinism v Women's Persistence
One can use the legal profession, to demonstrate the universal male self-serving hostility against women, particularly in the work place. In the USA, for example, it was a long struggle for women to be admitted into the legal profession. In the book “In My Own Words", the 2nd female Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States of America - Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, appointed by President Bill Clinton in June 1993, "inter alia" wrote:
"As late as 1968...the law remained largely a male preserve. Text books and teachers at that time so confirmed. A widely adopted first year property casebook published in 1968, for example, made this parenthetical comment: "[F] or, after all, land, like woman, was meant to be possessed."
Heavens above, just like chairs and tables "id est" mere chattel. I say: "Infandum" (Unspeakable). Belva Lockwood, according to Justice Gingsburg, was:
" a woman of courage who would not be put down, a woman who, in 1879, made the U.S. Supreme Court change its ways. Her name, Belva Ann Lockwood, her birth year, 1830. Lockwood was the first woman ever to gain admission to the U.S. Supreme Court's Bar, the first woman to argue a case before the nine Justices, and the first woman to run the full course for president."
In 1869, Belva Lockwood's applications to DC Area Law Schools were rejected, on the ground that her presence would ...distract the attention of the young men."
''Her presence, she was told, would ... distract the attention of the young men in the class. Lockwood persevered until the National University Law School (today, the George Washington University Law School), allowed her to matriculate. She encountered yet another impediment, when CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
“WOMEN: A NEEDED FORCE IN POLITICS AND THE POLITY”
the school refused to confer upon her the diploma she had earned. Men in the class, were again, the asserted obstacle. Graduating with women, it was feared, would lessen the value of the men's diplomas."
She had to petition President Ulysees S. Grant, the Washington University's President "ex officio", before she was awarded her law degree.
In 1869, the Illinois Supreme Court having rejected her application for admission to the Bar, observed thus:
“In denying Myra Bradwell admission to the bar, the Illinois Supreme Court observed in 1869 that, as a married woman, Bradwell would not be bound by contracts she made. The Illinois court thought it instructive, too, that female attorneys were unknown in the mother country.''
Also in 1876, Belva "sought admission to the Supreme Court Bar. The court denied her application 6 to 3 with the tense explanation:
“By the uniform practice of the Court ... and by the fair construction of its rules, none but men are permitted to appear before it as attorneys and counsellors."
Justice Ginsburg, in a recent CNN interview, recalled her statement: “All I ask of our Brethren (Justices of the Supreme Court are referred to as Brethren), is that they take their feet off our necks"! What a direct and powerful demand, which means that, men had engaged in egregious strangulation of women, through centuries of suppression, degradation, violence and discrimination.
Even Shakespeare - the great English poet - had to portray his female character “Portia" in his play ‘The Merchant of Venice’ - dressed as a man to pronounce judgement, in order to satisfy the audience! Such was, and still is, the animus and discrimination against women, by the men and society.
The United Nations: Champion of Women's Rights
The United Nations must be credited for its forward-looking insight and correct and visionary orientation, to the issue of a gender discrimination world wide. In that context, it is to the everlasting credit of Boutros Boutros Ghali, the Secretary General, who influenced the Organisation to hold four World Women Conferences on the status. The very first World Women Conference was held in Mexico City, and I was privileged to attend and presented a paper on "Abortion". The second one was held in Copenhagen Denmark in 1980, the third one was held in Nairobi Kenya in 1985, which I also attended, and the most staggering one was held in Beijing, China in 1995 to which I was privileged to lead the Zonta International delegation as Zonta International President. With all due modesty, Zonta International put up a number of successful Women-related programmes and thus, we contributed to the 12 Critical Areas of Concern for Implementation, for the advancement of the status of women as follows:(i) Women and Poverty (ii) Education and Training of Women (iii) Women and Health (iv) Violence against Women (v) Women and Armed Conflict (vi) Women and the Economy (vii) Women in Power and Decision Making (viii) Institutional Mechanisms for the Advancement of Women (ix) Human Rights of Women (x) Women and the Media (xi) Women and Environment (xii) The Girl Child In view of the discriminatory treatment of women by men, the UN Promulgated a Declaration on "Violence Against Women" in 1993. I can categorise the UN, as a world champion of the status of women. The UN leadership has motivated countries, to enact laws for gender equality and the protection of women from violence and the rights of children. Regrettably, despite laws, women still suffer horrific domestic violence.
One singular achievement of the UN World Conference, is the fact that, more women are now occupying political positions of authorities such as Presidents, Prime Ministers, Governors, Ministers, Professors, Writers, Chairmen, Principals; former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Prime Minister Thatcher, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, Chief Judges ... The Keynote Speaker today is Her Excellency Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi. Madam Tsai Ing-wen is the current President of Taiwan.
The ILO Building
Laudable as the efforts of the UN are, even ILO -an agency of the UN - its headquarters house in Geneva has the figure of a working man on its wall, which signifies that, even the organisation whose occupation is to protect workers' rights, does not recognise the contribution of women workers to the society in artistically depicting a worker. In that context, when I had an opportunity to be granted audience by the Secretary-General of the UN, I included this complaint in my brief remarks, and requested that a female working figure be carved unto the ILO wall like that of the male worker, to signify that women are also workers inside and outside of the home. In addition to the UN's focus on Women's Rights; the Organisation is also committed to human rights for all. It is when women are liberated from the shackles of discrimination, that their force can participate meaningfully in politics and the polity.
Health is Wealth
Now, as we all know that health is wealth. We are all here today, because, by divine grace, we are healthy. It is seriously advocated that, the health of a young female baby or girl should not be compromised. The twelfth and last Critical Area of Concern published by the 1995 4th Women Conference in Beijing, was on The Girl Child, in the following words:
“The Convention on the Rights of the Child recognises that "States Parties shall respect and ensure the rights set forth in the present Convention to each child within their jurisdiction without discrimination of any kind, irrespective of the child's or his or her parent's or legal guardian's race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or status".
Recently, in India, an 8 year-old girl was brutally gang raped, killed, butchered with an axe, and her body was dumped in a bush and covered with leaves. Such an unfortunate innocent victim, cannot contribute to politics and the polity. What a tragedy, horror of horrors!
The Criminal Assault called Circumcision/Genital Mutilation
In view of the UN statement, it is categorically advocated that the archaic and dangerous custom of female circumcision, otherwise known as genital mutilation, is a horrendous breach of that statement, because the lethal cutting may lead to death through infection and also may have a permanent adverse effect on the sexual life of the victim- just for the supposed enhanced pleasure of the selfish male. Women have an unlimited scope to be part of the needed force or politics and the polity when they enjoy health. Genital mutilation can also adversely affect the mental health of the victim. Each one of us needs to be healthy mentally and physically. Indeed, “mens sana in corpore sano" ("a sound mind in a sound body") should be the credo of all of us.
In 1984, I was in Sydney, Australia for a Zonta Convention, and a journalist asked me for an interview at breakfast, to discuss the horror of circumcision with me. I bluntly refused to have circumcision, on the breakfast menu.
Sexual Harassment in the work place
Sexual harassment at work and everywhere, is rampant. This is a calamity which men inflict on women, for promotion or better remuneration. Of course, promotion and enhanced remuneration should be based on qualification and performance, not on physical abuse, or sexual harassment or assault or rape. In the USA now, there is a Movement called “Metoo". This came out of women who had the courage to come into the open, to complain bitterly about sexual molestation, including rape at work. It started with the complaints against Mr. Harvey Weinstein, by a number of women. Their bravery encouraged others to speak out, and the movement, now called “Metoo", is alive and well for the criminal prosecution of male predators.
The Home
In this regard, let me address the importance of the work women do at home. Home, is the bedrock of every society. Consequently, parents, and I speak here about the normal home of a man and a woman, have a God-given duty to train and nurture their children, male and female, in a loving home environment, in order to equally prepare them for adulthood as responsible and God-fearing members of the society. In particular, parents must pay equal attention to both male and female children, like my own father did. Female children, like their brothers, must have full access to qualitative education to the highest level, to enable them develop their talents and potentials to the maximal degree, for the benefit of the society. Thus, they will grow up to be part of the needed force in politics and the polity. We must never forget that, women produce babies for humankind to survive!
Motherhood
It is also seriously advocated that, motherhood should not permanently derail the career progress of women. As motherhood is a sine qua non for the continuity of the human race, it is logical that employers should execute policies which will welcome women back to the workplace after the maternity leave, without loss of status. This arrangement should also be available to the husbands who choose to have paternity leave, to look after the newborn babies while their wives go back to work e.g. in some European countries. Perhaps some Nigerian husbands will follow their example!
Women as Objects of Entertainment
It is opportune to address some of the other areas of male exploitation of women, for their own enjoyment. A Biblical example is appropriate, in the royal personality of Queen Vashti - wife of King Ahasuerus (“which reigned from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred seven and twenty provinces"). Thus, he ruled over a vast glorious kingdom. In the third year of his reign, he held a huge and elaborate feast for all the princes, nobles and servants ... Of course, all the men were with the king. Queen Vashti held her own feast for the women in the royal house.
It was bad enough that the women were segregated from the men, but then a worse insult was to follow. On the seventh day of the endless feasting... when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded ... “the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king" to bring the queen before the king with the crown royal on her head to shew the people and the princes her beauty, for she was fair to look at. The expected show of shame, was to please the men in their alcoholic stupor. The queen, to her eternal pride and dignity and noble legacy, bluntly refused to be an object of male lasciviousness and entertainment.
Of course, the king and the drunken princes were furious, and declared that Queen Vashti's effrontery of disobedience to the king's order would not be tolerated; as an example to other wives, so she must lose her position as Queen, in order to avoid a situation which they considered would bring "too much contempt and wrath". The infamous judgement of the drunken men, is recorded for posterity in verse 19-21 of the book of Esther chapter 1:
"19 If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.
20 And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.
21 And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:"
The expected demeaning spectacle and entertainment, reminds one of beauty pageants such as "Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss Africa, Miss Nigeria, Miss Anything else!". These pageants provide elaborate entertainment, particularly for men. Now, there is a move in the USA that participants in these beauty pageants, should not make women dress in revealing swimming bikinis, but competition should also be related to intelligence. The pageants should not provide women for men to stare at, leer at, and ogle at, "in a lecherous way". Discretion prevents me from saying more, while I salute Queen Vashti's honour, dignity and courage. She was a real heroine in the Bible. Women have more to contribute to the society, in addition to their physical beauty. This attitude of women as objects of entertainment, is still rampant in the society and women have to confront it, as a form of exploitation. Otherwise, I suggest that, men should now strip to the waist, parade and swagger on the stage for women to stare at!
Women's Struggles through the ages
Women's struggle has been going on since the dawn of history, indeed in the book hereinbefore cited, Justice Gingsburg traced discrimination against women to the times of ancient Greece and Biblical times. Please, listen to her:
"In Greek mythology, Pallas Athena was celebrated as the goddess of reason and justice. To end the cycle of violence that began with Agamemnon's sacrifice of his daughter, Iphigenia, Athena created a court of justice to try Orestes, thereby installing the rule of law in lieu of the reign of vengeance." "Recall also the biblical Deborah (from the Book of Judges). She was at the same time prophet, judge, and military leader. This triple headed authority was exercised by only two other Israelites, both men: Moses and Samuel. People came from far and wide to seek Deborah's judgement. According to the rabbis, Deborah was independently wealthy; thus she could afford to work pro bono”.
I respectfully concur with the statement of the Supreme Court Judge, that women have multi- dimensional abilities to employ for the good of the society. It is crucial to note that, financial independence is a "sine qua non", for the meaningful
“....WHEN I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE GRANTED AUDIENCE BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UN, I INCLUDED THIS COMPLAINT IN MY BRIEF REMARKS, AND REQUESTED THAT A FEMALE WORKING FIGURE BE CARVED UNTO THE ILO WALL LIKE THAT OF THE MALE WORKER, TO SIGNIFY THAT WOMEN ARE ALSO WORKERS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE HOME”
performance of the women in the society.
Of course, while Deborah was performing wonders as Prophet, Judge and military leader in Chapter 4 of the Book of Judges, Delilah, in the same book Chapter 16:10 was playing her own feminine and diabolical games and tricks on Samson. She told him:
"And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightiest be bound."
He succumbed to her feminine wiles, to his eternal destruction. Yes, as women, we are equal, but different in our attitudes, orientation and choices. Unlike Delilah, Queen Esther (who succeeded Vashti) also in the book of Judges, boldly saved her people-the Jews - from the gallows.
The Olusegun Agagu Foundation
At this juncture, I acknowledge that the broad Theme for this Memorial Lecture is firmly located in one of the Focal Areas to wit: "Politics and Good Governance". Indeed, the needed force of women in politics and the polity, is one of the parameters for good governance in any polity.
I congratulate the Foundation and the family, for the impressive and laudable achievements scored so far. It is a matter for celebration that, you are in contact with schools and universities by way of cash prizes and scholarships. I hope the awardees, have been invited to this celebration. It is important for them to attend, so they can follow the leadership example and qualities of Olusegun Agagu, of service for the common good of the people, and NOT for self- service. It should be country above self.
Women as Beneficiaries of the Centuries of Struggles for Emancipation
Undoubtedly, women of the world, are beneficiaries of the victory scored by the women activists who suffered unspeakable violence, for the elevation of the status of women, and the eradication of discrimination against women in all spheres of life's endeavours. We now have women on the highest Bench of Nigeria, England, USA and they are performing as well as the men. In Nigeria, Stella Jane Thomas, was the first female Lawyer and became the first woman Magistrate in Nigeria. She was called to the English Bar in 1943. And the Hon. Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar was the first female Chief Justice of Nigeria from July, 2012 to November, 2014. And The Hon. Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa, is the first female President of the Court of Appeal in Nigeria, and is still in service.
Women owe a huge debt of gratitude to those women activists and heroines, and we must work to achieve even heights greater than what our courageous and long suffering ancestors did. Thus, we have a duty to encourage young girls to accept the challenge that, public office should not be the monopoly of men only. Women have proved that given the opportunity, they can excel in all theatres of life. Regrettably, some female public officers, have let us down. But to err is human, to forgive is divine. That is the nature of man and woman.
We must be ready to overcome roadblocks that are still mounted by some chauvinistic men, who still harbour ante deluvian decisions of male dominance. I am sure none of the gentlemen in this assembly, harbour such opposition to gender equality. I believe that is why they are here, at this event. You are welcome.
What is in a Name - "Kokumo"?
At this point, it is noteworthy that, Olusegun Agagu's middle name is "Kokumo". In recognition of the non-Yoruba speaking eminent guests in the assembly here, I can correctly translate the name "Kokumo" as “Will die no more". The Yoruba language, is fantastic. It has meaningful names. "Ile la n wo, ki a to so omo loruko". His beloved mother must have lost some babies, before he survived as a baby. Well, not only has Olusegun Agagu lived up to his name in life, the memorial annual event, has ensured that he is living up to his name after death. He lives because his legacy lives. His first name Olusegun, is also predictive of what is to come. Morning heralds the day.
I appeal to parents, grandparents, teachers and every one, to teach their children Yoruba language, so that it does not go into extinction, which will be calamitous for the Yoruba race. That applies to all indigenous languages.
Praise for the Foundation
Let me now applaud the Foundation for its statement of intent, namely to:-
by giving an endowment for 3 students per university (Geology or Petroleum Engineering)
Publications great alumni speakers and the policy papers that have come out as a result.
to educate the public as well as promote the work of the Foundation
Olusegun's academic record is staggering, and the policies and programmes being executed in his honour, adequately portray him as an academic of superior intellect and a giant in the area of good governance for the people.
I urge men and women to come together to combat male chauvinism, so that both genders can collaborate, and ensure that women worldwide provide the needed force in politics, and in the polity. They certainly have the capacity and intellect to do. To our womenfolk, let us be encouraged by the Biblical words of St. Paul the Apostle in Romans 8:31 thus:
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"
With all due respect, I unequivocally, reply the Apostle Paul with a categorical: "No one", Indeed, "No man"!
Peroration
In peroration, it has been a delight for me to participate in this glorious memorial event, as a guest speaker. The Theme of this spectacular event, has helped us to re-affirm the crucial importance of world women being allowed to apply their talents to, and be a part of the power needed force in politics and the polity. We women are ready, if given the opportunity.
Above all, last but not the least, men and women must receive equal pay for equal work.
May God help all of us. Amen. May God heal our beloved sick country, Nigeria. May women and men of the world triumph! Amen! Amen!! Amen!!!
May the Olusegun Agagu Foundation flourish in perpetuity. "Deo Volente."
I thank you for your attention and for being a responsive audience. My special thanks go to the men who support women!
I pause.
“....WHILE I SALUTE QUEEN VASHTI'S HONOUR, DIGNITY AND COURAGE. SHE WAS A REAL HEROINE IN THE BIBLE. WOMEN HAVE MORE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE SOCIETY, IN ADDITION TO THEIR PHYSICAL BEAUTY. THIS ATTITUDE OF WOMEN AS OBJECTS OF ENTERTAINMENT, IS STILL RAMPANT IN THE SOCIETY AND WOMEN HAVE TO CONFRONT IT, AS A FORM OF EXPLOITATION. OTHERWISE, I SUGGEST THAT, MEN SHOULD NOW STRIP TO THE WAIST, PARADE AND SWAGGER ON THE STAGE FOR WOMEN TO STARE AT!”