Dearth of value system and the rise of rape

I read with consternation from various media outlets (online & mainstream) of the rape and brutal murder of Ms.Uwa, and undergraduate of the University of Benin. It is another in a long list of crimes related to sexual abuse and gender based violence. The media has also been awash with criticisms and backlash of this unhealthy trend from citizens and also the civil society.

Another rape incident is that of Barakat Bello an undergraduate student of Federal College of Animal Health and Production (Moor Plantation) in Ibadan who was raped at her parents’ home. The list keeps on going.

This latest incident is disturbing in many ways considering the environment in which this particular act occurred. What has enraged many Nigerians is the fact that most of these cases don't get prosecuted due to certain reasons like; the lacklustre approach employed by Police authorities, stigmatisation and fear on the part of the victims and also, societal perception of what is deemed to be "rape".

The last reason stated above will be what I want to deliberate on. The term rape has been extensively defined and I believe there is no need to form ignorance or overflog the definition.

However, I think we have a problem as a society when our value system has need grossly eroded. Why do people still ask ludicrous questions like "what was she doing there?" Why did she wear that kind of dress?" "Why was she struggling with the attackers" "why did she go out by that time?".

All these point to a particular pattern - the magnitude at which our values has shrunk. What we hold to be true as Africans have been totally neglected and an alien culture that glorifies sex and idolises women as sex objects. It is objectionable and should be condemned, this practice of touching women without their express consent, groping, fondling and harassing them for sexual purposes has to stop.

We, as a society, need to take this critical time to reflect on what is acceptable and what is not in an African culture and beliefs system. Let's bring up our children in ways to respect the opposite gender and also to know how to treat the womenfolk right. A woman has to be brought up in a way that she will understand the wholesome ideals of womanhood.

Conclusively, rape is a crime and should be treated as such and should never be tolerated. Authorities need to take every report of case seriously and act diligently.

Also, accuse persons who are found guilty to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Society needs to protect women more and also be willing to listen to their plight when they are coming out with an incident story without bias and prejudice.

I would leave with a joke (a rather thoughtful one) a friend of mine posted on social media: "Even the Devil did not rape Eve in the garden of Eden although she was naked and alone."