Gender Based Violence (GBV)

EDITORIAL

Rape, battery, female genital mutilation, under-aged marriage, arranged marriage, social economic and political vilification are some of the many forces militating against the female community even in civilized or modern societies. The situation is worse in Africa, where culture has also played a crucial role in demeaning the female gender.

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Women in Africa are in most cases termed as appendages created for the glorification or satisfaction of men. To this end, men who have domesticated these ancient African ideals can go to any extent to dehumanize women in the name of rape and other harmful practices as earlier highlighted.

A school of thought for instance, blames the issue of rape on women who mostly dress “to kill” or “sexy.” And I ask, if that is even the case, what about infants and little children who have been defiled and incapacitated through this monstrous act? Even for those who dress half naked, it is chiefly the act of given a dog a bad name in order to hang it.

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In my submissions, I looked at rape and other stereotypes against women as PSYCHIATRIC DISORDER. Yes, many people, (men and women) in modern setups who still propagate archaic and barbaric carryovers should be examined and reexamined for possible counseling or treatment. Some persons have become serial offenders with gender based violence. Common sense is enough reason not to abuse women, but conscience is waved when men abuse even their own children, wards or wives. This is one issue too many.

Some women are complacent to these barbarisms. They serve as conduit pipes in perpetrating these crimes or have refused to change from the patriarch conclusion that “it is a man’s world.”  Take for instance the case of female genital mutilation, in most cultures; the women are the handlers of this practice. They see nothing wrong because they were so treated. On the issue of rape, women are either silent or assist their male counterparts in executing a premeditated act. Women must expose whoever is involved for proper prosecution.

Many states in Nigeria are thinking of very stiffer punishment for offenders caught in rape matters. Some have proposed castration of the male sexual organ as punishment; for some, life sentence is the deal; etcetera. However, the various state laws appear to be silent on the other variables that constitute gender based violence.

I make bold to say that, the issue should not be treated with kid gloves. Besides, it has to be a holistic thing where all private and government institutions, faith based organizations, families and individuals must congregate to say no to gender based violence. If this is not done, then we will continue to carryout activism against these heinous acts in futility.

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