Find Your Voice

It was Martin Luther King who said "Our lives begin to end the day we stay silent about things that matter". No truer words can depict what is going on in the world right now. From a pandemic to racism to rape, there's an attack on all sides. Omojuwa referred to these three prevalent issues as the unholy trinity. Of recent, Twitter Nigeria has been set ablaze first with women calling out their rapists and now with the unfortunate incident which happened to Tina (police brutality), Uwa (sexual abuse) and the 12-year old girl who was gang raped by 11 men. It doesn't stop there though. There are many more incidents that will not make it to national news or social media streets. Some may be happening underneath our noses without our knowledge. 

We don't see it not because we're blind or ignorant but maybe just maybe because the victims don't have the courage or the platform to speak out.

So for everyone who is lending their voice, keep being loud until they can find their voice and tell their story.

One of the most powerful things in life is having a voice you can use. We can and should no longer be silent about sexual abuse. Don't keep quiet because it's not happening to you or anyone you know. What we do not condemn, we permit. Male or female, there is a way to use your voice.

Men call out your friends on rape and sexual harassment. Someone once asked that why is it that women can point out someone amongst their friends who has faced sexual harassment/abuse but men can't point out a rapist from their circle? Stop honouring the bro code and honour humanity instead.

Women don't stop speaking out. Don't take your foot off society's neck. Let's shake tables until they break and we can rebuild a society where it's safe to be a woman. The more we have brave ones tell their story, the more other women will be encouraged to open up.

To those who are fighting regardless of whether they have experienced violation or not, there are not enough words to thank you.

You can lend your voice financially too. Organizations like Stand to End Rape, The Consent Workshop, Mirabel Centre, Hands Off Initiative amongst others exist to fight against this injustice and we can assist them so they expand their outreach.

However you help, don't let your activism stop on social media.