Rape And Consent

Rape culture isn’t just rape culture. Rape is a culture. A culture that has been fueled with victim-blaming and silence. How many people do you know who were raped but never spoke up because they’d be asked, ‘Were you wearing a miniskirt? Were you drunk? What were you doing in his house?’ and a host of other irrelevant questions.

Women aged 15 to 49 are the most affected by sexual violence. A global estimation of 730 million women and girls have been sexually abused by their sexual partners. 67% of these cases are not reported. Close to 15 million girls have been raped according to a report by UNwomen. The numbers keep on rising everyday.(see reference link)

The onset of the Coronavirus pandemic should be enough proof that women’s and girls’ safety is not guaranteed even in their own homes. Unsuspecting young girls are prey to family members and neighbors. It’s almost like being a family member gives them the right to sexually abuse girls. It’s sickening that some men don’t understand the concept of consent- the difference between YES or NO.

It is worthy of note the demonstrations that took center stage on social media that all began in rape and paying no attention to consent. Liberia’s president declared rape a state of national emergency after the country experienced a 50% increment in rape against women and girls.(see reference link) Kenya is still experiencing many teenage pregnancies, with perpetrators offering little cash to the girls’ parents to let themselves off the hook. #shutItAlldown in Namibia was to fight the increased sexual and gender-based violence as well as increased rape cases. #AmInext? In South Africa, to fight increased femicide and rape among young women and girls.

You should choose yourself all the time. Stand up for yourself and fight to take up your space in the world. Do not be limited by ill-intended questions to water down your spirit. Your body, your rights, your choices. Do not let anyone take that power away from you. Own it.