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| 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.
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.
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| Yes? Yes |
