On the Streets of Nigeria, around various States, a lot happens to a lady, especially the risk of being harassed by men.
There are some uncultured men who don't see anything wrong with making uninvited or unwelcome physical contact with girls they find on the street, patting her butt, forcefully holding her hands, rubbing her arms, and all what not,
Then if she complains, these men and their fellow men will try to mock her making it seem as if it is a normal practice to "toy" with the physical body parts of any lady who is not married, for their self satisfaction.
Like the day I had the misfortune of being around a local Salestore where this particular man who looked really advanced in age kept coming around to tap the "backside" of a young Sales girl, and he kept laughing jokingly, while the lady in turn kept scolding him and speaking harshly to him, I guessed not harshly enough as he kept retuning to repeat this demeaning act!
My dears, we must learn to protect ourselves from petty harassment on the streets, one good way is to mind your business, focus on what you are walking around doing, then if you have the misfortune of meeting these kind of men who are just "chronic petty harassers" keep away from their touch, from their itching fingers. Another way is to speak out by saying exactly what wrong he is doing to you,
Like. "Why did you rub my arm, why are you trying to put your hand near my breast, what is the meaning of that!, or why did you just hit me on my buttocks, why nah? What is happening?". You say this with all the seriousness in you. You will be surprised how these harassers will appear embarrassed, trying to cover up and make light of the situation, as other men around may start taking sides with you and rebuking him, except few shameless ones like he is, who may stand with him.
However, if you have been walking, and the harasser intentionally rubs your arm or grabs your hand, don't stop moving, react by speaking up and keep moving, or just keep moving, as these people may just have the intention of wanting you to stand and argue with them, so they can harrass you the more. Ignore them most times, it depends on the particular circumstance.
Another form of harassers are the men who keep calling on a lady while she is walking through the streets,
Mouthing words like "hey, fine girl! Come", "my friend! You no wan answer me"!
"We dey fight?", and the next minutes these men may change their approach and starts hurling insults on this lady walking down the street.
What you can do as a lady depends on the circumstance, Ignoring everything is highly recommended, another way is to stop "walking" that route, another is going to the man and asking him what you could do for him, then in clear language tell him you are not interested and you feel uncomfortable with the constant harassment! (It depends on his level of understanding) or else totally ignore.
I would end by telling my experience, I innocently entered a store around my residence to buy a loaf of bread,the Seller attending to me, who looked married all of sudden started touching my chin,and lifting my face, I was quick to tell him off, and asked him what he was doing, he started laughing and saying he didn't touch my breast, (he didn't say breast, only pointed like an idiot). I told him he didn't think if I am somebody's wife, (no difference if I am not!) I particularly warned him about this bad habit, the risk in it, as a day will come when a woman's husband will come around and have him beaten!
There are a lot of things wrong with our societal attitude towards women, and "little" girls.
Let us women, who are the recipients of these subtle evil, speak out against it!
LET US BLOW THE WHISTLE REALLY HARD AND LOUD! And refuse to condone any part of it.
We may be saving our children, even the unborn ones!
Comments
Post a Comment