The last few weeks have been an awakening of the global mistreatment of women and the blatant inattention to the clamour for equal rights. Women are rarely protected. They face violence, abuse and unequal treatment at home, at work and in their wider communities. We constantly hear stories about women getting raped and having their human rights violated, without any justice or punishment getting served to the perpetrators of this gruesome act, who are most likely always men.
In a survey carried out last year by InterNations who polled 20,259 ex-pats representing 182 nationalities and living in 187 countries or territories, covering topics such as quality of life, cost of living, personal finance and more, Nigeria was rated the third most dangerous place for women to live in which put it’s all in perspective.
Social media has helped spread more knowledge on the urgency of these issues. Platforms like Stand To End Rape, Whine and Wine, The Consent Workshop and HandsOff NG are doing the good work to hold men and the society as a whole, accountable for their actions. Yet, a large portion of men still get away with sexual assaults, enabling them in a society that already sees women as less.
The recent allegations raised by Seyitan who was grossly violated by one of the most prominent Nigerian entertainers of this generation D’banj proves this point. Even at that, her life still remains threatened as the singer and his allies have proven in a series of events that unfolded after. This story is one of many women’s rights violations that continue to happen on a daily basis in Nigeria, and across the world but it is also a defining moment for the movement against rape culture in Nigeria.
On June 3rd, Seyitan Babatayo gave a detailed account of how Nigerian Musician D’banj sexually violated her last year in her hotel room. Her account elucidates the many unchecked structural disadvantages which give powerful men carte blanche over women’s lives.
In an official statement confirmed by Stand To End Rape (S.T.E.R) Seyitan confirmed that she was arrested last week as widely speculated. Her arrest came after D’banj filed a N100 million damages lawsuit and demanded an apology.
In her detailed timeline of the events that have happened since she spoke out, D’banj and his team show a complete disregard for her human rights. The statement was released after she was able to gain her freedom from police custody on June 18 through the efforts of her family and activists who traced her location through satellite mapping. She also reveals she was harassed by D’banj and his team who tried to sway her into saying she was lying and did it all for the spotlight.
Seyitan’s story is one of many cases that women face on a daily basis which is why it’s important Dbanj is made a ‘scapegoat’ for others and charged to court for his actions. The stigma placed by society on women who share their rape and harassement stories needs to stop, women won’t be intimidated into keeping quiet or being victimized and no one should be able to go scot-free after committing injustices against women. We need to create a society that allows a thriving and safe environment for women.
Seyitan’s has gotten the support of Mrs Akeredolu (SAN), former Attorney General of Ogun State who helped in writing to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to investigate and will be providing legal support. The Inspector-General of Police has instructed that the matter be investigated immediately.
