Rape: Meaning, Causes and Saying No beyond Words

The problems in our society are quite appalling. Different problems everyday, it is quite disheartening to wake up to this awful news daily. From rape to racism and others. What's happening to the world?

Why do we train our women to be responsible and forget to train most of our men?
We live in a society where the woman is blamed for being raped. Rape is never the victims' fault because no body wants to be raped. We tell our women to dress well to avoid rape but it is not about the dressing. Modestly dressed people get raped, babies are raped and we blame it on the dressing of the woman. We have freedom to dress in the way we like but then we become scared.


We live in a society where we let innocent women be raped, get blamed and die of depression or sometimes even get killed by the rapist while the rapists roam the street like innocent people. Most women who get raped can't even speak up because of the fear of been condemned by the society. It's true that men also get raped but the cases of male rape is very low compared to that of women.


We need to be bold and speak up. We are the change we want to see in the world.

This article is about rape, definition and it's effect. The post also highlights some rape cases around the world, causes and solutions to rape.

Do you know that apart from "Corruption", Rape has also gotten to the danger zone  as a menace in many Countries of the world.

Daily News Correspondent was privileged to meet and sample opinions of some people on the issue of rape rocking the Society.

Photo: Rape | meaning; causes, effects cases and solutions | image credit: Getty Images

What is the meaning of rape? In a simple definition, Rape means to force sexual intercourse or any other sexual activities on someone.

Causes of Rape

Some of the identified causes of Rape are:

1. High emotional Tension: The libido in most humans cannot be overemphasized, some Men/Women have high sexual urge which in most cases cannot be over controlled and at that same point passing through seduction from opposite sex. This can make him or her briefly reach a conclusion that forcing the opposite sex will make him/her satisfied.
2. Revenge: Cheat breakups (Revenge): Some guys may think setting up a lady and raping her will let her realised how hurtful he experienced when she left him for another richer Guy/Men.
3. Inability to understand the will and the word of God: According to Mr. Olayinka, he opines, saying "..all I can say about the issue you raised is that we should all pray that bad spirit shouldn't control our soul. All this crimes which people are committing are not just from their will. Some are under a spell, some is a kind of madness which can't be properly define."               

Psychologist, Dr. Ibukunnle explained Rape as "a forceful sexual intercourse without the consent of other party involved." To the Dr, he called It an Assault,  which may be caused by many factors:

The Other causes of Rape:

1. Overexposure to nudity,
2. Arrogance  on the part of Ladies,
3. Absence of home training,
4. Lack of fear of God.

Rape is a big act and crime against humanity, because victims of rapists will hardly forget it. 

According to Dr. Ibukunnle, solution to curb rape act should be "Capital Punishment/Life Imprisonment."

What are the Justice for Rape Victims?

How well and fast does a rape victim gets Justice, especially in Nigeria and some African countries. Report indicates that it takes time for rape case to get settled in Nigerian court. 

According to the Nigerian legal system on rape, the rape victim must prove to the court the penetration before been cross-examined by the Court for justice to be served. 

To prove a rape case is becoming deficult, even than the rape act. At times, it might even be difficult to pinpoint who is guilty or not due to the technicality of the case in most cases.

"Rape a behaviour that needs to be totally eradicated. This has been relating itself in this our dear Country. where our ladies are no more secured, where no capital punishment attached to it. I think Nigeria needs to wake up and let's reason together as a Country that will flourish; the lives of everybody should not be endanger due to rape," Comrade Stephen opined.

Still on the rape and the breakdown, a Pharmacist and psychologist, Dr. Emeka opined thus "Rape is just very bad, am not a good judge of character but psychological assessment is required then in court. Also, there jail term should be very long, giving capital punishment shouldn't be for everything only in cases of murder or terrorism or where raping cases is in an alarming rate."

Opnions on some common causes of rape:

Dr. Emeka said  "On random ones, some ladies are found of showing there private parts to lure some men into such act.  Yes! You are being  addressed the way your dressed.

"For you putting on Skippy, tight skirt and short trousers, what signal or message do you think it is sending?

"Aside that, some guys, do rape ladies for ritual reasons."

While highlighting the effects and aftermath of rape, he noted:

"The effects and aftermath of rape can include both physical trauma and psychological trauma.

"However, physical force is not necessarily used in rape, and physical injuries are not always a consequence. Deaths associated with rape are known to occur, though the prevalence of fatalities varies considerably across the world."

"For  rape victims, the more common consequences of sexual violence are those related to reproductive health, mental health, and social wellbeing."

These are the effects of  Rape in the Society:

1. Physical  impact: This comes with deformation of the victim and the bad feelings.
2. Gynecologic: Gynecology has to do with the study of Medical Problems of Women, especially the reproductive system, it's another branch of Medicine. Hence, the common Gynecologic consequences experienced by rape survivors include- Vaginal or anal bleeding, infection and Hypoactive sexual desire disorder
3. Vaginitis or vaginal inflammation.
4. Dyspareunia: It means painful sexual intercourse. 
5. Vaginismus: This means a condition affecting a woman's ability to engage in any form of vaginal penetration.
6. Chronic pelvic pain: Victim of rape could experience pains in the bones all over their Body, which could cause discomfort.
7. Urinary tract infections: Through rape, the victim is opened to infectious diseases in the (Penis) for Male and (Virgina) for female. This urinary tract infection makes the victim feel pains while urinating.
8. Pregnancy: This is the most known one, the victim, especially with unprotected sex is 99% exposed to getting pregnant.
9. HIV/AIDS: Acronym for human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), the virus comes through contact with blood, especially from intercourse. Hence, rape victims are prone to this virus and the Virus drains blood and weaken the cells in the body; leaving the victim to different diseases and untimely death.

These are the solutions to Rape:

1. Sex Education: In a quest to profer solutions, Parents are advised to engage in "sex education" to their children. ladies should be modest in their dressings and guys should be more careful.
2. Prayer: Dr. Emeka added that "We should be more prayerful because Rape is a spirit. This Country needs to be baptized;  people are just too " desperate.
3. Awareness and publicity from Government, NGOs and Civil Society Organizations: It is believed that if Government, Parents, NGOs and Individual should focus attention more on curbing rape, by increasing the awareness and dangers in rape, the story could change to reduce the menace of rape around the world.

Each for Equal: Celebrating International Women's Day

By Adigun Taofeekat.

International women’s day!! The time to  celebrate women, their unflinching tenacity with impacts and achievements accrued despite gender inequality. It also serves as a  reminder for how far we have come in the struggle for gender equality, an outlook of the present happenings to women in relation to gender gap and a clarion call for what’s more to come in actively achieving gender equality.

Equality is not a women issue; It’s a business and world issue. In 2015, the world leaders agreed on a policy changing move with legislation adopted to proactively advance gender equality and eliminating all forms of violence and discrimination against women with sustainable development (SDG) goal 5 achievable by year 2030.

The apparent and unanswered question remains “Is any country on track in fully achieving gender equality by year 2030, invariably 10 years from now, considering current trends"?  One in 3 women globally experience physical or sexual violence during their lifetime, child marriage is still thriving with stifling discrimination against women. There are still staggering 72 countries in the world where women are barred from opening bank account according to a survey by  gender gap report.

Gender norms are quite poor even in country with best records for gender equality globally, typically far worse in developing countries with stringent and stifling gender norms and belief.  The sobering and disheartening fact of Global Gender Gap Report 2020 edition based on current trends reveals that overall global gender gap will not be closed for nearly a century and gender parity may not be attained for 99 years.


The women, peace and security index survey 2019 analyzed the dangerous countries to live as a female. Topping the list is South Africa, Brazil, Russia, India, Syria and Nigeria  all ranking high in oppressive gender norms, global gender imbalance, homicidal rates, sexual and physical violence on women, and discrimination. In Nigeria, there are passed laws criminalizing child marriage, female genital mutilation and gender based violence, yet these crimes are being perpetuated and constantly thriving.

Despite these gloom and doom tales, there are groundbreaking records and achievement made in the struggle for gender equality. We need more conscious effort to douse gender gaps in terms of economic opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival and political empowerment.

Collectively, we are all part of a whole. Our individual actions, conversations, thoughts, behavior, mindset, and dispositions have a huge impact on the society collectively. Together, we can help create a gender balanced world. Through collective action and shared responsibility, we can shape our thoughts, redefine our thinking, unlearn and relearn negativity. We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations, celebrate women achievement and speak out on discrimination against women.  The changes we seek requires action and participation from each and everyone of us.

We have come a long way in the struggle for gender equality journey but there are still many hurdles to cross. We must look outside workplace, beyond laws and policies and address the cause of gender imbalance gap from its underlying root. Focus on where and how discrimination and stereotyping breeds from. It is up to each of us, each for equal and collection action in ensuring a more better, equal and gender balanced future.

7 Ways to End Violence Against Women

 

Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread violations of human rights. It further intensified during the Covid19 with  increasingly alarming rate of sexual violence during the lockdown and curfews.  It was further tagged as the "Shadow Pandemic" ravaging the world amidst the Covid 19 health crises by United Nations Women Executive Director 

Global estimates published by WHO indicate that about 1 in 3 (35%) of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.  Yet to date, only two out of three countries have outlawed domestic violence, while 37 countries worldwide still exempt rape perpetrators from prosecution if they are married to or eventually marry the victim. Furthermore, 49 countries currently have no laws protecting women from domestic violence.

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the most visionary agenda for advancing women’s rights everywhere, of which Nigeria is a signatory. The COVID-19 pandemic has dampened what should have been a year of reflection on the progress made and strategising on concrete actions to address urgent issues such as gender-based violence. 

Here are just 5 ways we all  can make a difference, safely and impactfully in ending Gender Based Violence.

1. Start Conversations to end the Silence Culture

Violence against women and girls is a human rights violation that’s been perpetuated for decades. It’s pervasive, but it’s not inevitable, unless we stay silent. Igniting the fire is a step in awareness.

Read: Biography of Actress Kehinde Bankole

2. Always take a Stand against rape culture

Rape culture is the social environment that allows sexual violence to be normalized and justified, fueled by the persistent gender inequalities and attitudes about gender and sexuality. Naming it is the first step to dismantling rape culture.

Every day we have the opportunity to examine our behaviours and beliefs for biases that permit rape culture to continue. Examining our various definition of masculinity and femininity, and how our own biases and stereotypes influences our decision. Collectively, we can all take action to stand against rape culture.

3. Listening to and believing survivors

When women share  their story of violence, they take the first step to breaking the cycle of abuse. It’s on all of us to give the safe space for women's  needs to speak up and be heard. It’s important to remember that when discussing cases of sexual violence, a victim’s sobriety, clothes, and sexuality are irrelevant.The perpetrator is the sole reason for assault and must bear the responsibility alone. Calling out victim-blaming and countering the idea that it’s on women to avoid situations that might be seen as “dangerous” by traditional standards.

Survivors of violence are speaking out more than ever before, and everyone has a role to play to ensure they can have justice.

4)  Understanding consent

Freely given, enthusiastic consent is mandatory, every time. Teaching people that rather than listening for a “no,” make sure there is an active “yes,” from all involved. Adopting enthusiastic consent in our various life and talking about it.

Phrases like “she was asking for it” or “boys will be boys” attempt to blur the lines around sexual consent, placing blame on victims, and excusing perpetrators from the crimes they have committed.

5. Shame Perpetrators

Women most times suffers from victim blaming, society shaming and talking point after experiencing violence. In our society today, we talk about how many women were raped like statistics not how many men rape women. We talk about how women can protect themselves from rape not how men should stop raping women.We call men who rape or harm women DOGS but dogs don't harm/rape. We must ensure that perpetrators of violence against women are shamed and ridiculed collectively while justice is duly served to the victim.

Conclusion

Conclusively, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic threaten any progress that has been made in tackling gender-based violence. Nigeria must ensure that its recovery from the pandemic promotes a more gender inclusive society, where women and girls’ rights are protected and their opportunities promoted, so that the progress made in the last 25 years was not in vain. Ending violence against women is everyone’s business and you have a role to play.