Let me start this thread with definitions, because context is really important these days when we address topical issues.
Women are vulnerable.
Women are constantly "exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed physically or emotionally" because we are women.
Women are vulnerable.
Women are constantly "exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed physically or emotionally" because we are women.
Last year, I was explaining to a male friend the reason why I don't take certain risks and why I simply refuse to put myself in certain positions he will put himself in without a thought.
He wasn't understanding.
In truth, he didn't get it at all
He wasn't understanding.
In truth, he didn't get it at all
So I told him that just by virtue of being a woman, we are extremely vulnerable and constantly targeted.
He said "really?!!", I said "sure".
He said "how!?", I just decided to share some examples.
Because sometimes, it's important to put these things in perspective.
He said "really?!!", I said "sure".
He said "how!?", I just decided to share some examples.
Because sometimes, it's important to put these things in perspective.
1. You are a woman navigating your way in a busy market, your mind on the things you need to buy, guys selling make bold to grab you by the bum, touch your breasts...
If you complain, GBV occurs. I have seen women stripped in markets like this.
theguardian.com/global-develop…
If you complain, GBV occurs. I have seen women stripped in markets like this.
theguardian.com/global-develop…
While women in #Nigeria marched and fought hard against sexual harassment in markets in 2019, in January 2020 the leader of one of the markets came out to say it's okay to harass them.
No legal instrument held him accountable.
google.com/amp/s/www.puls…
No legal instrument held him accountable.
google.com/amp/s/www.puls…
2. There are some traffic areas of Lagos where beggars have decided money flows through. They stay there and wait for cars to come. I was in the passenger seat one day (my brother Maxwell was driving), we stopped at the traffic lights.
Guess whose side the beggars came to?
My friend @BekemeMasade once told me the story of how she was driving one day, stopped. they came. she didn't give them money, they spat at her. Some women have had their cars bashed...
My friend @BekemeMasade once told me the story of how she was driving one day, stopped. they came. she didn't give them money, they spat at her. Some women have had their cars bashed...
3. It is estimated that over 40% of South African women will be raped in their lifetime. This is empirical evidence.
Right now, femicide rates in SA have hit an all time high while convictions are still very low.
voanews.com/africa/south-a…
Right now, femicide rates in SA have hit an all time high while convictions are still very low.
voanews.com/africa/south-a…
4. My friends who have girls have told me of how much they have to go through & invest in to protect their daughters from "predators".
Not that boys can't be abused but you have to do much more for girls.
Rape in #Nigeria is now a state of emergency.
cnn.com/2020/06/12/afr…
Not that boys can't be abused but you have to do much more for girls.
Rape in #Nigeria is now a state of emergency.
cnn.com/2020/06/12/afr…
5. Last year, I renewed my international passport. I paid official price + more to get it done (because everyone is subject to institutional corruption).
Time to pick it up, one guy like that held on to it & asked me to meet him in a hotel. Would he have asked a guy same?
Time to pick it up, one guy like that held on to it & asked me to meet him in a hotel. Would he have asked a guy same?
6. There's a hashtag on this twitter: #SexForGrades which trended last year... go and read tweets and watch the BBC investigative documentary that birthed it.
7. Women will top up the tanks of their cars even when it's half full, you know why?
Because we are petrified of being stranded in the middle of nowhere and exposed to anything: from being taken advantage of, to being mugged, raped, abused etc...
Because we are petrified of being stranded in the middle of nowhere and exposed to anything: from being taken advantage of, to being mugged, raped, abused etc...
I can't tell you how many times I have had a go at a man leaving the tank of my car almost empty.
He sees no problem, I see danger.
Just like the dangers of taking public transport, beyond general security, women are at risk. Here are stats👇🏿
techcabal.com/2019/08/01/one…
He sees no problem, I see danger.
Just like the dangers of taking public transport, beyond general security, women are at risk. Here are stats👇🏿
techcabal.com/2019/08/01/one…
8. That time when @IRepCamer and I were almost beaten by one "big man" at Bois D'Ebene in Yaoundé because he couldn't comprehend two women sitting having a meal and taking pictures of the live band playing.
m.facebook.com/story.php?stor…
m.facebook.com/story.php?stor…
His machosistic self was sure we were filming him so he proceeded to get his "guards" to come over and try to seize my phone - right in the middle of a busy upscale restaurant.
Despite people asking the man to stop, he wanted to use his power to BREAK two women.
Despite people asking the man to stop, he wanted to use his power to BREAK two women.
9. Who remembers this thread?
The sad thing is that he didn't know this was wrong until it happened to him.
See him loling at how he used to "tap current in secondary school"
He was sexually harassing
young girls and he still thought it was funny.
The sad thing is that he didn't know this was wrong until it happened to him.
See him loling at how he used to "tap current in secondary school"
He was sexually harassing
young girls and he still thought it was funny.
11. In 2017, a 70 year old widow was paraded arounded the village by a mob seeking "justice" over the fact that she dared be in a relationship & have sex with her 30-year-old lover.
She was fined 3 goats and completely BROKEN.
vanguardngr.com/2017/07/disgra…
She was fined 3 goats and completely BROKEN.
vanguardngr.com/2017/07/disgra…
12. @NatashaAkpoti is a Nigerian barrister, social entrepreneur and politician.
She ran for the post of Kogi Central Senatorial District seat under the Social Democratic Party in 2019.
For daring to contest, she was beaten, abused & slut shamed.
google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.…
She ran for the post of Kogi Central Senatorial District seat under the Social Democratic Party in 2019.
For daring to contest, she was beaten, abused & slut shamed.
google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.…
Edith @KahWalla, is a #Cameroon|ian politician, entrepreneur, social activist & the most impactful grassroots leader I know.
She has been in politics Since 2007 & ran for presidency in 2011.
There's no form of violence they haven't thrown at this woman.
ozy.com/news-and-polit…
She has been in politics Since 2007 & ran for presidency in 2011.
There's no form of violence they haven't thrown at this woman.
ozy.com/news-and-polit…
13. Only a few weeks ago, @DanielFaithArts shared this horror.
A young lady boarded an intercity bus, the driver won't let her travel in peace.
He decided to violate her during the commute! At a stop, her protests were ignored by police!
See video 👇🏿
A young lady boarded an intercity bus, the driver won't let her travel in peace.
He decided to violate her during the commute! At a stop, her protests were ignored by police!
See video 👇🏿
14. One of the foundations of the vulnerability of women in our societies is LEGISLATIVE PATRIARCHY.
Examples:
#Cameroon civil status laws
#Nigeria spousal immigration laws
Etc..
It's simple "death by legislative default".
cc: @NaijaFlyingDr
Examples:
#Cameroon civil status laws
#Nigeria spousal immigration laws
Etc..
It's simple "death by legislative default".
cc: @NaijaFlyingDr
I didn't make these up.
These are current laws in #Cameroon.
Enacted in the 80s and enforced till today.
Check previous tweet for the thread where I detail this.
Our vulnerability is created, patronised and enforced.
These are current laws in #Cameroon.
Enacted in the 80s and enforced till today.
Check previous tweet for the thread where I detail this.
Our vulnerability is created, patronised and enforced.
15. And when violating us offline isn't enough, they bring it online.
In 2011, Reno Omokri asked me to go back to #Cameroon because I didn't have the right to opine on Nigerian issues, never mind that I lived here & paid taxes legally.
He opines about other countries freely.
In 2011, Reno Omokri asked me to go back to #Cameroon because I didn't have the right to opine on Nigerian issues, never mind that I lived here & paid taxes legally.
He opines about other countries freely.
"Bitter feminist" @ozzyetomi abeg shut up!
Ah, Lola Omolola created FIN to "destroy marriages".
@kikimordi "wey no go school get mind to talk"
la mère la @africatechie déranges. Elle croît qu'elle est arrivée ?!
@EmotionsDoctor is misyarning about Burnaboy. Let her go & marry
Ah, Lola Omolola created FIN to "destroy marriages".
@kikimordi "wey no go school get mind to talk"
la mère la @africatechie déranges. Elle croît qu'elle est arrivée ?!
@EmotionsDoctor is misyarning about Burnaboy. Let her go & marry
Our VULNERABILITY in most instances is created & sustained.
Most men need to open their eyes to all the things women have to do to stay safe & protect their reputations that as men, they don't even think about.
We live in societies that find joy & pleasure in BREAKING WOMEN.
Most men need to open their eyes to all the things women have to do to stay safe & protect their reputations that as men, they don't even think about.
We live in societies that find joy & pleasure in BREAKING WOMEN.
I have been privileged to have short stays in hotels around the world.
I can quote so many instances where a male guest - who is supposed to arrive & be announced for me to come down - has simply been told my hotel room number & has showed up at my door.
It's VERY scary!
I can quote so many instances where a male guest - who is supposed to arrive & be announced for me to come down - has simply been told my hotel room number & has showed up at my door.
It's VERY scary!
And I am not surprised my thread will get responses like this:
Societal conditioning is a bastard.
Most men need to "kill the man within themselves" to understand how society gives them a disproportionate advantage over women.
It starts in the head.
Societal conditioning is a bastard.
Most men need to "kill the man within themselves" to understand how society gives them a disproportionate advantage over women.
It starts in the head.
What else would such a criminal legislate if not legal instruments perpetrating his crime and getting away with it?
And if that fails, well there's always money & power to oppress the vulnerable.
A society that doesn't hold such people accountable is complicit.
And if that fails, well there's always money & power to oppress the vulnerable.
A society that doesn't hold such people accountable is complicit.
Elisha Abbo is still a serving senator in #Nigeria.
Some of you will say he asked for forgiveness.
Forgiveness will not take away the constant fear of potential physical abuse that lady now knows she can get at her place of work.
No, you don't get it.
punchng.com/video-shows-se…
Some of you will say he asked for forgiveness.
Forgiveness will not take away the constant fear of potential physical abuse that lady now knows she can get at her place of work.
No, you don't get it.
punchng.com/video-shows-se…
My friend @seunonigbinde once tweeted this:
It is something that applies to many men - many who don't even know it.
"Kill the man in you" and you will unlearn patriarchy.
You can't change the world if you can't change yourself.
It is something that applies to many men - many who don't even know it.
"Kill the man in you" and you will unlearn patriarchy.
You can't change the world if you can't change yourself.
@threadreaderapp please unroll
A father in #Cameroon decides his 16-year-old daughter is one more mouth to feed during this covid19 pandemic, and marries her off.
What would he do if it were a son?
Yes we are vulnerable by natural circumstances.
Then there's man-made vulnerability.
thenewhumanitarian.org/news/2020/06/1…
What would he do if it were a son?
Yes we are vulnerable by natural circumstances.
Then there's man-made vulnerability.
thenewhumanitarian.org/news/2020/06/1…
