A bill which suggests 10 years in prison for living with someone of the same sex, 10 years in prison for supporting the idea of a pride march, and 14 years in prison for trying to have a wedding, one would expect that it addresses a crime. However it only refers to someone being gay.
In 2007, the Pew Research Center conducted a study in Nigerian attitudes towards LGBTQs. Based on that study, 97% of the Nigerians in Nigeria supported the idea that homosexuality is and should be a non acceptable behavior.
Regardless the facts though, there are still individuals who are NOT BEHAVING HOMOSEXUAL, but instead of having a heterosexual orientation, they have a homosexual orientation; same thing, different route! What about those individuals then? Where are the potentials for well-being? What is the answer from the social work profession in Nigeria, in Africa, and Internationally? How are those policies and changes in the social world communicated through education to the newly qualified fellow social workers? How empathetic are professionals in order to care a bit more? What kind of strategies have been followed to such issues?
The questions here could be endless, as when associated to the social work profession, one should remind thy self, that such policies step over human rights, and majority of the social work principles and values that social workers take a vow for.
I hear colleagues of mine saying that they conduct international affairs and practice!! That is another bit to be added in our education. Taking action does not always mean to physically present yourself in the crisis, but to support the cause in any given circumstances.
Also see: www.allout.org/nigeria-veto
