BBC hosts debates in Nigeria as part of 100 Women season

  

More than 100 conversations across the world will discuss what it means to be a “good girl” or an “ideal woman”

On 1st December, BBC 100 Women – a season dedicated to shining a light on women’s lives around the world – will bring together a series of debates from across the globe, to be broadcast live on BBC World News, BBC World Service and bbc.com.

The BBC will host debates throughout the day at Broadcasting House, London, while more than 100 conversations will happen across the globe in eight languages. In Nigeria, Morning Crossfire on Nigeria Info FM and Being Female in Nigeria will host discussions to contribute to the BBC’s live feed.

Focussing on leadership, image and relationships, the debates will ask women across the world if they feel they have to conform to what is considered the “right way” to behave. They will also be asked what they believe to be a “good girl” and who decides what is “good” – them, their family or society. The debates will also find out how women react to those pressures and expectations, and if they accept or reject them.

Fiona Crack, BBC 100 Women Editor said: “This debate is really special because we are giving women around the world the opportunity to have their voices heard on topics that matter to them. We’ll be tapping in to more than 100 conversations happening in almost 50 countries, and we’re excited to have contributions from Nigeria. The level of response we’ve had of people wanting to take part is testament to how needed these debates are.”

Also taking part in the debates are the Universities of Harvard, Yale, Tokyo, Mumsnet, the Girl Guides, Kelly Yang project, Age International, Women to Women in LA, Being Female in Nigeria, Afghanistan Women’s Organisation, the 50/50 group in Sierra Leone and the School of the Nations in Macau, amongst others.

On 1st December, between 09:30 and 13:00 GMT, the debates will look at leadership, raising questions around whether women who act like men are more likely to become leaders, and if quotas are the only way to see more women in public roles.

Between 13:00 and 16:00 GMT, the focus will be on image and whether beautiful women more likely to succeed, and how much time women spend perfecting their image – whether in reality or on social media.

From 16.00 until 19:00 GMT, relationships will be the key topic, questioning if it is expected for a woman to be subservient and whether relationships are more or less likely to fail when a woman is successful.

Watch LIVE at bbc.com/100women between 0930 and 1900 GMT

A recording of the event will broadcast on BBC World News at 0930-1000, 1330-1400, 1630-1700 GMT

Listen on the BBC World Service English at 1100-1200, 1500-1600, 1800-1900 GMT

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