Women are always beautiful -Ville Valo (Finnish Singer) The evergreen words of the Finnish singer, Ville Valo, that "Women are always beautiful" encapsulate the beautiful nature of women.
Indeed, the Nigerian woman is intricately beautiful and should be cherished like a fragile vessel of very high value. Any wonder why various literary pieces, music and movies extol the virtues of womanhood?
Sadly, women have not always been so favoured especially in Nigeria given the high incidence of sexual harassment in the society. Like a flea, it has sucked deep into what remains of the Nigerian fluid. Indeed, the very endemic nature of this scourge threatens to wipe off any vestige of our moral fibre as Nigerians.
The Nigerian story merely echoes an historical trend. From Adam, who openly blamed his wife for his sin of disobedience to God to the married man who batters a woman, gender-based violence has festered in the country. A number of men either verbally or by actions subscribe to Aristotle's view that a woman is an unfinished man or therefore stands on a lower plane of development.
What really is sexual harassment? Why does the cancer keep spreading? What effects can a single act of harassment have on the Nigerian woman? Is there anything the society at large can do to save the womenfolk and, most importantly, what can women personally do to reduce the risk of harassment?
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines sexual harassment as, "The making of unwanted and offensive sexual advances or sexually offensive remarks or acts, especially by one in supervisory position or when acquiescence to such behaviour is a condition of continued employment, promotion, or satisfactory evaluation."
Wikipedia, an online encyclopaedia, defines the practice as "intimidation, bullying or coercion of a sexual nature, or the unwelcome or inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favours." It adds that such behaviour may range from seemingly mild transgressions and annoyances to actual sexual abuse or sexual assault. The above definitions are by no means exhaustive as various forms of unacceptable sexual behaviour are daily birthed. These range from outright coercion or rape to subtler yet repulsive action, unwelcome touches, lewd remarks and lascivious stares.
In recent times, a growing number of women have entered the job market and this to some unscrupulous men means more sexual preys to descend on. Considering the very real fact that jobs are hard to come by, many women would rather endure a daily torture than opt out of a job where a supervisor or employer haunts them sexually.
Others suffer in silence because of the fear of stigmatisation, lack of awareness of legal rights and in extreme cases, actual rejection by family members and community. Others also fear that little will be accomplished by reporting as those who are supposed to protect often turn out to be the perpetrators of heinous crimes. For example, in November 2006, Kolawole Olaniyan of the Amnesty International, noted that, "The harsh reality is that if you are a woman or a girl in Nigeria who has suffered the terrible experience of being raped, your suffering is likely to be met with intimidation by the police, indifference from the state and the knowledge that the perpetrator is unlikely to ever face justice."
Recently, The Punch's editorial of April 15, 2011 carried the unsavoury story of a monarch who allegedly raped a youth corps member in Osun State. Commendably, in this case though, the "victim" spoke up. Examples abound why many would rather swear the oath of silence. For example, in 2005 the CLEEN Foundation (a Nigerian NGO) reported that only 18.1 per cent of rape cases were reported to the police. That represents less than one in every five cases. Any wonder why the practice continues unabated.
Some however claim that sexual harassment is not as serious as some women make it appear, especially if rape is not involved. Others go to the extent of alluding that women actually feel flattered by the attention they receive. But experts have proven that the messy practice is meant not to attract women but to coerce them; therefore it is an expression of power. This crude force often has far-reaching consequences.
Resultant effects may include feelings of guilt, low self-worth, depression, disgust and anger. One victim recalls in the Awake! magazine of May 22, 1996 that, "The situation destroyed me. I lost my trust, my confidence, my self-respect, and my career aspirations. My personality drastically changed. I had been happy-go-lucky. I became bitter, withdrawn, and ashamed."
The effect of sexual harassment can be so traumatic. In fact, child psychologists have warned that without proper counselling, children who have been raped may suffer lifelong trauma and deep emotional scars which may fester and led to clinically depressed and socially unstable adults.
Considering the socio-economic and moral contributions of women to the society, one Nigerian child/woman raped of innocence is one too many. All considered, one wonders if any solution is in sight.
It has been proved that laws alone cannot curb the menace. There are a number of legal instruments in Nigeria which prescribe punitive measures to perpetrators yet we continue to read of the practice time and again. Just passing laws without tackling the root of the problem may just as well be treating the symptoms so long as people have the will and capacity to abuse sexually.
Experts also recommend targeting attitudes and thinking patterns as part of measures aimed at mitigating incidence of sexual harassment in the society. This is because attitudes guide behaviour. People need to look up to God for divine guidance and learn his ways, and then immorality will become repulsive to them. Here lies the task of religious education.
While hoping that government will put in place measures to curb the practice and devise ways to enforce them, the Nigerian woman can also undertake to, among others, learn the ethics of proper decorum so as not to send out the wrong signals while dressing and grooming must be modest and in good taste.
In cases of attempted rape, the victims should scream as her voice may be her only portent weapon. Essentially, parents should maintain open communication with their children in schools. Youngsters should be taught to reject outright any one who tries to touch their private parts.
It is instructive that, while the wave of election weeps across the country, this portent weapon is daily wielded at the Nigerian woman. One only wonders if the unfortunate story of the youth corps member in Osun State will see the light of day. Since Nigeria is a signatory to many international legal instruments that outlaw violence against women, it is hoped that the government will fulfil its international obligations to enforce its policies.
- Ubek, a company executive, wrote from 359 Agege Motor Rd, Illupeju, Lagos vide: nj_duchess2000@yahoo.com
Comments