A conversation on violence against women
It’s been a heavy week not only in Kenya but also globally, with cases of violence against women dominating headlines. In Kenya, conversations have centered around consent, violence against women, and sexual assault. How safe is the world for women? Imagine going for a first date and a guy deciding to throw you out the 12th floor of a building. This is the story of Eunice. Imagine going on a date and ending up being drugged, sexually assaulted, and passing on from the injuries sustained. This is the case for Velvine (May she rest in Peace).
The solution is not about how women can stay safe, but about what men can do to make women feel safe and ensure that women are safe. Women have the right to walk in the streets regardless of the time and feel safe. Women have the right to walk in the streets and feel safe regardless of what they are wearing and feel and be safe.
Also, let’s not blame, the victim. How dare you ask what a woman was wearing when she was assaulted or at what time it was? How dare you tell a woman that she had it coming because she went out on a date? How dare you tell a woman that going out on a date gives someone the right to assault her or murder her? Do we ask men what they were wearing when they get attacked or at what time it was? Then why should we ask women?
We should also seek to change the narrative. Let’s teach our young boys and men that catcalling is harassment. Let’s teach them consent and that touching a woman without her consent is tantamount to sexual harassment. Let them know it’s okay to be told “no” and they have no right to be aggressive towards a woman who tells them no. Let us teach them that going out on a date does mean the evening has to end in sex. Let teach them they are not entitled to a woman’s body and above all let’s teach them respect.
Also let’s not hear the words: “NOT ALL MEN”. This is the equivalent of diminishing responsibility of men for what they do wrong. Just acknowledge what is wrong, listen, and learn to do better. It is also in poor taste to make jokes about sexual harassment, assault, and rape. It’s not an issue to be taken lightly, so give it the seriousness it deserves. Men have these conversations with your fellow men.
Social media is filled with conversations on how to make the world safer for women. Feel free to educate yourself and mainly learn from women who are the victims.