Ikpe ziri ezi maka uwa (Justice for the world)

I was once having a conversation and then asked the question, “What would you do if the person who was hurt was your loved one?” It is sad how humans are willing to be perpetrators of certain acts that they would go ballistic if the same treatment was reciprocated. Individuals and organizations have indeed been advocating for the same issues for years and they have no choice but to continue because the problem still exists. We cannot deny the existence of a problem due to how long it takes to find a lasting solution. The same idea applies to sexual violence.

According to UN Women, 35% percent of women around the world have experienced physical or sexual violence, and an estimate of 15 million adolescent girls globally have experienced forced sexual intercourse or other sexual acts. Sexual violence is a major source of concern because survivors are sometimes scared to report due to the fear of the stigma that might follow, fear of not being believed, and the inadequate support systems that exist.

Sexual violence affects the entire population, so people need to be educated and have knowledge on the topic. It is not enough to know what is right, we need to speak up about it. The crimes that are happening regularly sadden the heart; the gruesome killings of teenagers and young adults by officers with misplaced priorities, the kidnapping of school children, the terrorist attacks in the northern part of the country, the sexual assaults on women daily, and the list goes on.

I know the situation will not change overnight but, we can be deliberate about taking actions and making smart choices that will come together to create a ripple effect. This is why we are demanding justice for Uwa.

Uwa Omozuwa was a 22-year old student of the University of Benin, who died on the 30th of May, 2020. She was physically and sexually assaulted in a church auditorium where she had gone to read. She was left for dead by her assailants and found in a pool of blood on the 27th of May, 2020. The young lady died 3 days after this terrible ordeal. We can never be truly safe when evildoers are free to roam the land.

You might be thinking these evildoers are people who physically or sexually assault a person however, you are gravely mistaken. People who are not willing to take No for an answer when their advances are rejected are part of the problem. Cat callers are also a major part of the problem. One becomes part of the problem the minute they objectify another person. Take some time to reflect. I cannot overemphasize the need to reflect on our actions.

O bu uwa di mwute n’agbanyeghi na anyi nwere ike ime ka o ka mma

It is a sad world however we can make it better

This might sound cliché but I will say it anyway. The change starts with you. You can contribute by standing up for that young girl or boy who is being harassed in your neighborhood. You can educate yourself and friends on the topic; be willing to have those uncomfortable discussions with an open mind. There are several ways to contribute to the solution. Some of them include:

- Respect a person’s right to say no; silence, previous consent, acclaimed indecent dressing, drunken state, or even coercion does not equal agreement.

- Listen without judging when someone opens up to you. Do not blame the survivor. Try to encourage them to seek professional help.

- Support organizations that are working to raise awareness. You can volunteer, partner, or donate. Sharing their work on social media is also a way to contribute. There are several local and global organizations dedicated to combating the problem. We have:

• CARE

• I’M WORTH DEFENDING (IWD), Kenya

• Masimanyane Women’s Rights International

• Project Alert on Violence Against Women, Nigeria

• Kivulini, Tanzania

• Musasa, Zimbabwe

• Mirabel Centre, Nigeria

• Stand to end Rape, Nigeria

Some people do not see this as their problem so they would rather sit on the fence. Know this, it might be a stranger today but it could be your loved ones next. Sexual violence does not discriminate based on race, gender, or even status. It can affect anyone, so we all need to start making smart choices today. Would you be willing to take action by signing this petition for Uwa? Click here to sign it.