Africa’s most populous economy, with one of the lowest rates of female representation in parliament across Africa, seems to be experiencing a #MeToo movement of its own with a raft of new rape allegations. Survivors speak out, but who’s listening?
AN OVERWHELMING number of outraged protestors stormed the Abuja and Maryland premises of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly Church (COZA) on June 30, calling for the arrest and prosecution of the embattled leader and pastor of COZA, Biodun Fatoyinbo, accused by Busola Dakolo, the wife of a famous musician, of allegedly raping her when she was a teenager.
More than a year after the #MeToo movement exploded and prompted millions of survivors to share their experiences with sexual assault and harassment, Dakolo’s viral video about her ordeal as a teenager is sparking new conversations about sexual violence against women in Africa’s most populous economy. And the outcry is not coming from women alone.
Oladotun Kayode, a popular onair personality in Lagos, also recalls experiences of being abused as a child by his maid. After watching the viral video of Dakolo, Kayode too decided to join the movement to bring awareness to the growing menace in Nigeria. And the numbers don’t lie.
There are about 10,000 daily cases of sexual assault, rape and human trafficking of young girls and women across Nigeria, according to Dr Kemi Dasilva-Ibru, Founder, Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF).
“Statistically, we know that one in four girls would have experienced some type of sexual assault by the age of 18. Which means for a population of about 190 million, with half of the population women and half of the women are under the age of 24. You can imagine the number of victims who are subjected to this horrific crime on a daily basis and they are forced into silence,” says Dasilva-Ibru.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
TRACK, WATCH, BEFRIEND
IN THE PRISTINE WILDERNESS OF GABON ARE THE MAJESTIC AND GENTLE WESTERN LOWLAND GORILLAS. A FIRSTHAND REPORT FROM OUR TRAVEL WRITER ON WHAT GOES INTO HABITUATING THEM.
CHALLENGING BUT NECESSARY: THE AI BALANCING PROBLEM
Artificial intelligence (AI) continues transforming many industries, providing unprecedented opportunities for innovation and efficiency. However, these advancements bring complex challenges that necessitate a delicate balancing act.
BEYOND ACADEMIA: THE SOCIETAL IMPACT OF MULTILATERAL EDUCATIONAL COLLABORATIONS
The great poet William Butler Yeats once said, \"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.\"
The Business Of Dance: Embracing One's Individuality And Style
In the dynamic world of street dance, passion and perseverance pave the way for success. Living out this ethos is South African born B-girl turned businesswoman, Courtnaé Paul.
COMPASSION FATIGUE: THE DANGEROUS DESCENT FROM HELPING TO HURTING
It is a workplace reality that caring too much for your colleagues can hurt you.
IT HAS NEVER BEEN MORE CRITICAL TO FIND OUR NICHE
Have you found your niche? I received a lot of advice when I set up my company, but perhaps the most important consisted of just three words: Find Your Niche.
HOW TO MAKE AFRICA WIN OFF THE FIELD TOO
When all else fails, try sports. It's good for the soul.
BEAN THERE, DONE THAT
British author Roald Dahl tapped into every chocoholic's imagination when creating Willy Wonka's bizarre chocolate factory in his 1964 children's novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN WORKING WITH AL PACINO ON BROADWAY'
Arnold Vosloo Actor
BLENDED FINANCE: BRIDGING THE GAP IN EMERGING MARKETS IN SUPPORT OF THE SDGS
Amid the widespread global support for the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), there was an underlying concern among economists and financial advisors in the emerging and frontier markets: public sector and donor funds were stalled, if not regressing, and the funding gap to realize the SDGs was increasing.
