As the world marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women today (25th November 2020), and the commencement of the 16 Dyas of Activism against gender-based violence, the Executive Director of Women Information Network (WINET) Mrs. Miriam Menkiti wants Nigerians to pay attention to the word “Consent” as it concerns sexual activity.
She explains that consent is agreement to do something or permission for something to happen and that as long as a girl or woman has not given consent for sexual activity, any man who engages in such an act has committed rape and is liable on conviction under various laws in the country.
Mrs. Miriam Menkiti was speaking against the background of increase in the number of sexual and gender- based violence in Nigeria especially during the covid 19 lockdown from March to August 2020, a trend which she said is continuing.
The Executive Director of WINET stated that if a girl who is not up to eighteen years gives consent it is still rape, because the girl is a minor.
She regretted that the patriarchal nature of the Nigerian society has legitimized subordination of women notwithstanding the equality guaranteed under the constitution and promotes social inequalities between men and women.
She called for an end to all forms of violence in the society including wife battery, child marriage, sexual harassment, female genital mutilation, exclusion from decision-making in family and community, harmful traditional widowhood practices, deprivation of right of inheritance of property, women trafficking and forced prostitution; sexual harassment at work or within educational institutions and exclusion of women in political participation.
Mrs. Menkiti advised women and girls to always seek redress when acts of violence are perpetrated against them.
The theme for this year’s 16 days of Activism is Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent and Collect.