Globally, March 8th 2025 is international Women’s Day(IWD);
But is it truly the case in Nigeria? Is the Nigerian woman truly
celebrated on this day ? Or is she denigrated? From social media to
the senate floor, the last few weeks have exposed how Nigeria truly
defines her Women in 2025 : The Silent dog that should never
bark, even in danger .
For example, Senator Natasha Akpoti – Uduaghan; a well decorated
public figure accused her principal and top politician : Senator Godswill
Akpabio of sexual harassment. One would expect that The Senate will advise
the accused to step aside as its President, while the matter undergoes a
transparent and thorough investigation; but, alas , the reverse was the case.
The Senate, comprises of 105 male and 4 female Senators, totalling 109
senators. None of Senator Akpoti ’s colleagues , including the female senators
supported her fight for justice. Rather, The Ethics Committee of the highest
legislative body in the land downgraded the weight of her accusations,
dismissed her allegations on procedural grounds, and subsequently suspended
her from the senate for six months, saying she brought RIDICULE to the upper
chamber of the National Assembly. Before she was escorted out of the Senate
floor, she exclaimed …” This Injustice Will Not Be Sustained “…. The big
question is : Not Sustained by By Who? What if the “injustice” is sustained, how
does the sexually harassed common woman get justice?
Dear Nigerian Women, just so you know , A precedence has been set :
You get sexually harassed, You get suspended!!!
The next time a sexual predator comes your way; like some female senators and
public figures advised ‘….DON’T ALLOW IT!!!”…
In other words, you are on your own; so FIGHT WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT, and
KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!!!… Hopefully , the advisers will not backtrack
when in the quest to …”not allow it” , victims trash the rule of law, and the
consequences of protecting oneself from being sexually harassed becomes
fatal. May the Odds Ever Be In Your Favour.
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY.
LOVE,
The AID
