Read on Twitter
1.
I'll tell you a story.
It was the year 2018 and the time of Ramadan, in Minna. I was volunteering with a community group called SISTERS CLOSET, run by Barr. Zahida and a host of other wonderful females.
We were called about a missing girl somewhere around Bosso.
I'll tell you a story.
It was the year 2018 and the time of Ramadan, in Minna. I was volunteering with a community group called SISTERS CLOSET, run by Barr. Zahida and a host of other wonderful females.
We were called about a missing girl somewhere around Bosso.
2.
The girl's dad is a driver in Kano. Her mum is late. And she was at the time, living with her maternal aunt.
This maternal aunt sent her out to hawk oranges one evening, close to iftar.
And she didn't come home that evening, and the following day.
She came in on the 3rd day.
The girl's dad is a driver in Kano. Her mum is late. And she was at the time, living with her maternal aunt.
This maternal aunt sent her out to hawk oranges one evening, close to iftar.
And she didn't come home that evening, and the following day.
She came in on the 3rd day.
3.
When she finally came home. We got her to a doctor who confirmed she was raped.
And after hours of earning her trust and getting her to open up, Barr. Zahida and I got her to tell us what happened.
When she finally came home. We got her to a doctor who confirmed she was raped.
And after hours of earning her trust and getting her to open up, Barr. Zahida and I got her to tell us what happened.
4.
She was kidnapped by two men, her neighbors. They took her the evening she went hawking. Tied her in their room till iftar. Took turns with her till sahur. Left her in the room without food/water. Returned at iftar of the second day. Raped her till sahur...
She was kidnapped by two men, her neighbors. They took her the evening she went hawking. Tied her in their room till iftar. Took turns with her till sahur. Left her in the room without food/water. Returned at iftar of the second day. Raped her till sahur...
5.
Raped her till sahur before letting her go.
So, I just want to point out how these men knew well enough to not rape her during their fast. They knew what they were doing but went ahead to do it anyway. They were neighbors, neighbors who pretended to help look for her.
Raped her till sahur before letting her go.
So, I just want to point out how these men knew well enough to not rape her during their fast. They knew what they were doing but went ahead to do it anyway. They were neighbors, neighbors who pretended to help look for her.
6.
Now fast track to 2019. I give a speech somewhere in BUK about breaking silence and calling out abusers. This lady meets with me and tells me her dad, her biological dad has been fondling her boobs and asking to let him rape her. And has been getting bolder and violent.
Now fast track to 2019. I give a speech somewhere in BUK about breaking silence and calling out abusers. This lady meets with me and tells me her dad, her biological dad has been fondling her boobs and asking to let him rape her. And has been getting bolder and violent.
7.
This 'father' stopped paying her school fees or giving her pocket money until such a time that she would decide to let him rape her.
Thankfully, @oxygeneleke helped me get her a job. And got her out of Kano.
This 'father' stopped paying her school fees or giving her pocket money until such a time that she would decide to let him rape her.
Thankfully, @oxygeneleke helped me get her a job. And got her out of Kano.
8.
Still in Kano, I also met a woman whose husband would spike her drinks enough to knock her out, so he could sodomize her against her will.
She was his wife. Someone he claimed to love. someone who is still to this day, messes up from the experience.
Still in Kano, I also met a woman whose husband would spike her drinks enough to knock her out, so he could sodomize her against her will.
She was his wife. Someone he claimed to love. someone who is still to this day, messes up from the experience.
9.
What I am saying is this.
I am scared. Terrified of men. From the strangers we don't know, to the men that are in our lives.
From not knowing if this stranger will take advantage of us, to wondering if this uncle is waiting to have us alone in the house.
What I am saying is this.
I am scared. Terrified of men. From the strangers we don't know, to the men that are in our lives.
From not knowing if this stranger will take advantage of us, to wondering if this uncle is waiting to have us alone in the house.
10.
I am terrified of the power that men have. Very terrified.
These three cases, none of the men have been held accountable. Because families want to protect their 'honor' And because we can't 'ruin' the family name.
I am terrified of the power that men have. Very terrified.
These three cases, none of the men have been held accountable. Because families want to protect their 'honor' And because we can't 'ruin' the family name.
11.
I expect that every man and indeed woman in my life, respects women and doesn't make stupid jokes.
I expect that men around me know the power that they possess and, use that power to propel equal justice for all genders.
I expect that every man and indeed woman in my life, respects women and doesn't make stupid jokes.
I expect that men around me know the power that they possess and, use that power to propel equal justice for all genders.
12.
And if you still think of rape as a result of some behavior or dress sense, now is really the time to unfollow and block me.
Fin.
And if you still think of rape as a result of some behavior or dress sense, now is really the time to unfollow and block me.
Fin.
