Chapter 6: Livelihood Skills For Self-Employment For Life.

Benice went in search of a shop. she found five empty rows of shops in ten streets from madam Rose’s street.  Benice asked for the owner. A man was trying to kick-start a car in front of the empty shops.   “Sir, could you please help me see the owner of these empty shops written 'SHOPS FOR RENT" "Yes, what can I do for you, young lady?" The man who supposedly was the Landlord asked.  "My name is Benice, I am a fashion Designer. I would like to rent one of these shops.” “Ok, how much do you have and where is your husband? A man must sign a surety for you?”Benice's heart cut again and again. After a long silence, she responded I don't have a father nor a husband except my grandma in the village." "I don't rent my houses and shops to singles especially to women in general without bringing their husbands to sign a surety."  Blasted the arrogant man.  "Ok, bring a male relative, I think I have tried my best for you or what else should I ask?" he asked with pride.  Benice started sobbing. She decided to go back to madam Rose to report her predicament. Madam Rose asked, " do you know the Landlord’s name?”"I didn't collect the man’s name nor the  the street name and house number.” Responded Benice. “Go back, collect the street name, the house number and the details of the landlord.” ordered madam Rose. Benice asked other tenants who provided the following details. “Landlord’s name - Mr. Affinoa,”“Street name - Abadi," "House number - No. 6".  Madam Rose called her lawyer friend Ms. Ladi (Esq).  Ms. Ladi reported the man to the Landlords’ Association in the city’s municipal Council. “Mr. Affinoa has breached the law on gender discrimination which is against the United Nations’ Committee on the Eradication of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)." Explained Ms. Ladi Mr. Affinoa was summoned by the Magistrate court of the municipal Council to defend himself.  “Mr. Affinoa, a case was brought here before the court of competent jurisdiction against you on gender discrimination, was it true or false?”“I don't understand what gender discrimination means," responded Mr. Affinoa.  The customary court’s magistrate continued; ,,,”You know that ignorance of the law is not an excuse Mr. Landlord?"  " I am sorry! apologised Mr. Affinoa to the Magistrate”  "You are guilty and you must pay some charges against gender discrimination". “Clerk"  " Sir" responded the court Clerk. "Bring receipt and let him pay the stipulated charges into the Government coffers."  Ordered the Magistrate.  “You are also mandated to release one of the shops at No. 6. Abadi Street, on Benices payments terms and conditions!” commanded the Magistrate.  Benice only paid on a monthly basis as the surety was signed by madam Rose, shattering the glass ceiling. This episode served as a deterrent to other Shylock LandLords in this city" Ms. Ladi commented.Benice Secured the Shop Through Courage and the LawNews of Benice’s sudden success soon spread like wildfire among the women in the market. For months, the row of shops had remained locked and abandoned because the landlord was notorious for his cruelty, impossible demands, and outrageous rent fees.Many traders feared him.Some whispered that he deliberately refused to rent the shops to women unless they brought a male surety—usually a husband, brother, or wealthy sponsor. To many struggling widows and single mothers, it was a wall too high to climb.That afternoon, as Benice arranged  the dresses neatly in front of her newly secured shop, a middle-aged woman from the opposite stall crossed over, curiosity written all over her face.“Benice, please tell me,” the woman said in a hushed but eager tone, “how did you manage to secure a shop under that landlord?”Benice looked up and smiled faintly.“Why are you asking? Do you want one too?” she asked.The woman quickly shook her head.“No, not exactly,” she replied. “I only wanted to know how you succeeded where everyone else failed. Those shops have stayed empty for months because they are too expensive, and that landlord is too arrogant and wicked. Everyone says no woman can get a shop from him without bringing a man as surety.”Benice paused for a moment, remembering the humiliation she had suffered the first day she approached the landlord.He had looked at her from head to toe with disdain.“Come back with a responsible man who can stand for you,” he had said mockingly. “Women like you disappear when it’s time to pay rent.”But fate had turned in her favor.“Well,” Benice began calmly, “I did not fight him alone. Madam Rose stood by me, and a female lawyer took up the matter. They helped me understand that what the landlord was doing was unlawful.”The woman’s eyes widened5.“A female lawyer?” she asked in disbelief. “And you mean women went to report the matter to the authorities without their husbands or sons following them?”Benice nodded, pride shining in her eyes.“Yes,” she said firmly. “We took the matter to the Magistrate. That's the end