For how long will women continue to live like this?
Let me give you some facts.
99.1 million Estimated number of women in Nigeria, over 24.8 million may have experienced some form of sexual violence. And for almost 70 per cent of that number, it was more than a happenstance.
It is very interesting to note that 24.8 per cent of 14,560,417 (3,610,983) females age 18 to 24 years experienced sexual abuse prior to age 18, of which 5.0 per cent (108,549) sought help, with only 3.5 per cent (126,384) receiving any services.
Findings from a National Survey carried out in 2014 on Violence Against Children in Nigeria confirmed one in four females reported experiencing sexual violence in childhood with approximately 70% reporting more than one incident of sexual violence.
Out of 10 women you meet on the road more than half have been sexually assaulted or raped, so now tell me, who do we fight or run to when the criminal and penal codes of 1990, the laws guiding rape justice in Nigeria is deficient in many ways.
For instance, the law defines rape as having unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman or girl without her consent, or with her consent if it was obtained by force or by means of intimidation.
This definition excludes other methods and orifices of penetration, save penile penetration of the vagina. Experts said such is not all-encompassing to help protect citizens.
So where is the justice?
Where is the justice when you have to pay for the rapist to face his crime?
Where is the Justice when payments are made to “quiet” it?
Women get raped, their children get raped, their grandchildren get raped and so the cycle continues while they continue to blame the victim… for how long?
For our long are we going to beg not to be raped?
What will it take for men to take the issue of rape serious? Until they have a daughter?
When do we stop objectifying women?
When do we stop being the accused when we were the victim?
When do we start blaming the rapist?
When will our government start taking women affairs seriously?
Why do you judge them by their dressing?
How long do we continue to preach consent?
How long do we continue to hide away from men?
How long do we continue to fear men?
How many women must die because men do not respect the woman body?
They suffer in silence; they carry the hurt for years but for how long?
How long must women suffer?
When does all this stop?
Where is the justice is when she will be tagged a prostitute?
Where is it when she’s been blamed for it?
Did I hear you say justice?
Well, we’ll continue to push hashtags, we’ll continue to vent, we’ll continue to call on the government and the force till “Justice prevails”
Everyday is a new #, everyday it’s a new name, But what do we do or rather can we do beyond the hashtags?
Individually we have to do more!
The state government have to do more!!
The police have to do much more!!!
