Egypt:Showing the World What Democracy is About/Awake from Your Slumber Nigeria

Following what is now being tagged as the largest protest in Egypt's history, President Morsi has been ousted by the country's military. Reports have it that on Sunday  millions took to the street to protest the Morsi government which has been accused of concentrating power in Islamist hands, soaring inflation, among other lapses since the government's installment a year ago. 

A protester holding up a Koran and a Cross

General Abdel-Fatah al-Sisi, Egypt's Chief of Armed Forces, announced that he had suspended the constitution, and will on Thursday nominate Adli Mansour the head of the constitutional court as interim president. Following Sisi's announcement, Tahrir Square erupted in applause and fireworks.

Celebration in Tahrir Square

The Egyptian people have continued to show the world what democracy is about; the people and their voices being heard by the government they elected to serve them. What's also worth noting in Egypt's story is how the military is effectively serving it's purpose, which is to protect the people and the people's interest. Albeit lives were lost, I believe they were not lost in vain. This is a just cause, a fight for what is right and serves the good of an entire nation. 

Egypt has shown us the way, and I would ramble on how Nigerians need to take this all in and let sink in to a place that would spark some action, but has it not been said to us already? How long will Nigerians be permissive of the injustices perpetrated by the leaders we chose to serve us?

 

Rape Culture

There are more ads telling women to act sensibly and none telling men to do the same

The phrase “rape culture” refers to a way of thinking that systematically trivializes, normalizes, or endorses sexual assault.

More often than not, when there's been an incident of rape, we ask questions that lead us to the conclusion that the victim had to have brought it upon themselves. What has now been termed victim blaming.

What we seem to ignore is how our (in)actions have promoted rape culture (see definition above.) While women have a responsibility to ensure their safety, whether by dressing 'appropriately' or declining the offer to take one more drink, society also has the responsibility of instilling discipline upon young men. It's a shame that we seem to pay more attention (not the right kind) to rape victims than we do to rapists.

There should be more campaigns tailored for the male audience advising them to seek consent, and when it's not given, respect a woman's wishes and leave her alone. And it mustn't be campaigns, I understand that may make it sound a bit like something only organizations can do, but each individual has a responsibility. Parents need take up the responsibility of advising their male children against rape, and since Nigeria is a highly religious society, our clerics need to preach about. I never heard my pastor condemn any man for raping anyone, however, I have heard a thousand times how women should cover up and dress more responsibly to avoid getting raped. Teachers should take this up in their sex-ed classes, there isn't even a better place to discuss this than at school, okay, and maybe at home with the parents.

We can't continue to blame women for getting raped, that would only just allow it happen even the more. We need to take into account the actions of rapists, and in Nigeria where there seems to be a lax attitude towards sexual violence, laws that address issues of sexual violence need to be more stringent and properly enforced.

Yes? Yes