International Women’s Day: Make it stop

Each year, International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8th. This year, the theme to mark this glorious day will be, “Make It Happen,” in order to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women all over the world, while calling for greater equality. But, as I join women all over the world to mark IWD, while celebrating women who have sacrificed in order to ‘make it happen’ and continue to struggle in order to pave the way for future generations of women, I would like to use this this Woman’s Day to highlight a subject that requires the collective effort of every society to ‘Make It Stop.’ That would be the sexual abuse, degradation and harassment of women.

It has sadly been prevalent that since the beginning of time immemorial, women have been constantly abused and taken advantage of. Though in these modern times, one may forgive another for thinking of women as a “weaker sex”; for now women are Presidents, heads of multi- million organizations and the front bearers in many victories in any given area; be it sports or technological innovations.

A disturbing story in recent times that has highlighted the importance of this topic is the unfolding saga of the once great and talented Bill Cosby. This particular scandal has left a sharp and bitter after taste in the mouths of millions of fans who grew up with nostalgic memories of the hit comedy show “The Cosby’s”. Many a childhood memory has been severely tainted by the poisonous allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power in the worst possible way. For decades Bill Cosby was seen as a beacon of moral upstanding conscience especially in the Black American community. But the mounting allegations of rape, sexual misconduct and incessant drug abuse has shocked the world.

These allegations began on 8 March, 2005 when Andrea Constand, the former director of operations for the Temple University women’s basketball team, filed a lawsuit in respect of how he molested and drugged her in the premises of his Pennsylvania home in 2004. Then, Tamara Green on the Today Show claimed that in the 1970’s, Cosby gave her a cocktail of drugs and proceeded to grope her in the most inappropriate of ways. In the case that later went to court, the Constand case made reference to 12 other women who chose to remain anonymous; all with similar terrible allegations. Beth Ferrier was one of the anonymous women that was later identified; in this case he had supposedly assaulted her inside a car in Denver. The lawsuit with Constand was settled out of court with the agreement not disclosed to the public. The fact that the case was even deemed significant enough to be settled out of court should leave an unsettling feeling with anyone. If facts presented by the prosecution of the case are believed; Cosby sexually assaulted and abused scores of women; some of them had been entrusted to his as unofficial wards and he, ironically, their mentor.

In October of 2014; the murmurings of previous allegations gained a frenzied pitch when the Daily Mail published a story with Barbara Bowman calling Cosby a rapist and a “monster”. Subsequently, several planned appearances and shows were cancelled most likely as the result of mounting accusations. Mr Cosby’s lawyer subsequently released a statement that referred to the allegations as “discredited”, thereby denying the illicit stories. Nevertheless the stories continuously kept appearing in the media with a growing number of women behind each one; every time sounding much worse than the last time. Though this unfolding drama seems very far from being over, it is safe to reach the conclusion that while many of the women claimed to have reported to the authorities even at the time of the assaults; the police just did not seem willing or possibly able to prosecute or charge such a huge and revered personality. One human being no matter how rich, important or popular should not be beyond the long arm of the law in cases of sexually abuse especially.

Sexual abuse is a general term for different types of sexual activity that is inflicted on and unwilling, under-aged or helpless victim. Up until 1970’s, the prevalence of sexual abuse was seriously underestimated. The perpetrators of sexual abuse are prosecuted under the state Criminal Law and are usually given tougher sentences for molesting or raping minors. Most of the victims of sexual abuse are sadly unwilling or unable to testify against their tormentors; usually because this would mean that they were reliving the terrible experience all over again. Also the significant issue of molestation stigmatized by society cannot be overlooked; especially in a country such as Nigeria where communities are governed by appearances and certain expectations of women. Sadly in today’s modern world, sexual abuse is too prevalent because it comes in so many different forms; some of which are not obvious on the surface. This heinous of acts can even occur subtly over a long period of time; at least until the perpetrator gains enough of the victims trust to pose an imminent unstoppable irrevocable danger.

Fast emerging from its traditional past, Nigeria is a growing modern metropolitan country. While its economy is faltering, the industrial and technological growth cannot be ignored. The advent of technology through phones, the internet and social media at large has meant that a growing number of a younger generation of Nigerians have access to vast amounts of information in the global village that has become this present world. Many younger ones take to the internet to vent and express emotions that would otherwise be deemed unfit or unacceptable by the parents, wards and communities at large. Therefore it is not uncommon for girls that have to dress conservatively in public and at home; to make a show of dressing and appearing scantily on their walls on the internet. This platform of secrecy and sometimes “indecent behavior” is a sexual predators dream. They have access to innocent, unwitting victims that would be too terrified or ashamed to come forward and make accusations in the event that they were taken advantage of.

A disturbing trend of sexual abuse and harassment that has emerged in recent times is taking undue advantage of mostly women in the professional environment. Traditionally it was the secretary that had been shown as being in danger of becoming a sexual subservient to her boss. Unfortunately; this concept has culminated into different scenarios; many of which are disturbingly becoming common rather than uncommon. There are scores of young men and women struggling to either get jobs or “make it” in the workplace that are only too eager and willing to exchange sexual favors to anyone that would take advantage of them. Then even more terrible are those that are married but use the workplace as a den of illicit behavior by molesting, cajoling (sometimes aggressively) and eventually molesting their terrified subordinates. Ironically, the terror may be as a result of losing their jobs and not because of their bodies, which should be a temple to them.

In the competitive banking world in Nigeria, beautiful young women are used as marketing officers in order to lure rich customers. With shorter dresses and faces caked with make up; many marketing approaches can be linked to “legal prostitution”. These victims are given conditional positions in the organization based on their “output” and “performance”. How does a beautiful lady convince a man to give millions to her organization? Even the women that seem to be willing participants in this arrangement still remain victims; for they mostly operate under great duress.

The scenario for sexual abuse though remains disturbingly similar. A victim under influence of a predator is forced physically or emotionally to endure unwanted advances by a menacing dominant figure. Whether it’s a famous personality, a boss, a high ranking member of government or disgustingly an older relative of a victim being accused of sexual molestation; everybody needs to take allegations more seriously than previously. If we do not rise up and defend the victims of this ugly threat; it could be our very own flowers that can be used and abused tomorrow.

As we mark this 2015 International Women’s Day, we should all celebrate the achievements and advancement of women all over the world. But, while we encourage the theme of ‘Make It happen’ regarding positive feats, we must not forget to forge together and ‘Make It Stop’ when it comes to the damaging and abusive behavior that eats away at a woman’s very soul.

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