Inter-generational conversations, by Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi

Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, a prominent figure, recently engaged with young feminists and women's rights activists in mentoring sessions. Recurring questions from these groups prompted her to share key insights on leadership, movement building, and the core tenets of feminism.

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When someone lacks a voice, they have no personhood, dignity, or respect. They live in fear.

Adeleye-Fayemi underscored the fundamental importance of equal opportunity and non-discrimination. She highlighted the right to a voice as crucial for raising concerns, advocating for change, and demanding accountability. "When someone lacks a voice, they have no personhood, dignity, or respect. They live in fear," she stated, emphasizing that access to space for thought, organization, and solidarity is vital for combating marginalization and exclusion.

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Feminism is a global struggle against all forms of patriarchal oppression. It is about affirming that women are complete human beings.Feminism is a movement against systems of oppression and injustice, not against individual men.

Defining feminism as a global movement against all forms of patriarchal oppression, Adeleye-Fayemi clarified that it targets unjust systems, not individual men. She urged activists to "be the change you want to see," advocating for the embodiment of feminist values in everyday actions. This includes how children are raised and how domestic workers are treated, warning against perpetuating cycles of oppression. "We should not be seen abusing, exploiting, and minimising others," she advised.

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We should not be seen abusing, exploiting, and minimising others. We need to embody this on a daily basis.

Furthermore, Adeleye-Fayemi encouraged women to "build their own tables" rather than relying on others. She described Nigerian women as resilient and value-adding, stressing that self-worth and independence are essential for challenging patriarchy. "You cannot challenge patriarchy if you are dependent on crumbs from a table," she asserted, framing this not as pride but as a recognition of inherent value.

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You must build your own table, then nobody will have the audacity to ask you such a stupid question.