A popular Nigerian actress has advocated the need for women in the country to be taught self-defence from primary school to university level as a way of reducing violence against them.
Omotola J. Ekeinde in her Twitter handle wrote on Sunday further called on the government to permit women to use peppersprays.
On Saturday, December 15, 2018, a group of women staged a march at Yaba market in Lagos to protest the sexual harassment and somewhat derogatory sexual slurs that accompany it.
Anybody who patronises popular markets in Lagos like Oshodi, Yaba, Balogun and Tejuosho markets will be familiar with the incessant touching, catcalls, invasion of personal space, forceful pulling and insults given to visitors to the market especially to women.
“In a country like Nigeria, women should be taught self defense from primary school.Should be part of the curriculum till Uni!Women should also be encouraged to carry peppersprays!
“In the US,its normal in schools for girls to buy and carry one! #protectwomen #yaba #MarketMarchYaba,” Ekeinde tweeted.
Also, Funmi Falana, the wife of Femi Falana, a renowned Nigerian activist and lawyer; and mother to Falz, a Nigerian recording artist and actor in Twitter handle lamented the rising cases of violence against women.
United Nations reports that it is estimated that 35 per cent of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or sexual violence by a non-partner (not including sexual harassment) at some point in their lives.
Women and girls together account for 71 per cent with girls representing nearly three out of every four child trafficking victim. Nearly three out of every four trafficked women and girls are trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
