A video went viral last week on the internet showing a woman stripped naked, mercilessly flogged by another woman, dehumanized and sent to the street naked. It was alleged that she was caught pant down with a man in his matrimonial bedroom. The man’s wife who wielded long canes and a tick belt began to dish out strikes on the plus size woman. Her body was patterned with bruises and ugly designs were made by the strokes of the cane. It was a nauseating, offensive and annoying drama.
The victim thereafter reported the assault to the police. Early this week, the couple and an accomplice were arrested. In her statement, the victim had claimed that she went to honour an invitation by her male friend on Facebook. Unknown to her, she had walked into a trap as a supposed single man turned out to be ‘married’ and a woman emerged from nowhere, claiming an infringement on her matrimonial space, alleging that the victim is her husband’s concubine.
Since the matter is now under investigation by the police, I wouldn’t want to comment any further. However, the callous and derogatory treatment meted out to the victim and the video recording of the cruelty are for what purpose? It may actually be true that the victim is a mistress to her Facebook friend as alleged by the tormentor but does that call for such dehumanizing treatment? I know some women would likely support the action and say “it serves her right for dating another woman’s husband” but should the victim be recorded and pushed to the street naked after several beating in the house?
The victim in her statement claims her tormentor later called to ask for N60, 000 from her and if she fails to pay, her nude video will be released on the internet; and truly, the video went viral shortly after it was released. The only avenue for the victim to seek redress is to involve the police and go to court.
I’m not in any way defending the victim’s action if indeed she deliberately encroached on the matrimonial space of her tormentor. What is bad is bad. Still, I do not support the manner of her maltreatment. We only saw the woman being humiliated but where’s the man in question? Shouldn’t the ‘cane activist’ extend the same corporal punishment to her man for daring to bring another woman into their matrimonial home? If indeed the man was the one that handled the video recording, then, the couple needs to be thoroughly investigated and be brought to justice.
Just like in the Gospel of John (8: 1-15) account of a woman caught in the act of adultery for which the law of Moses prescribed death by stoning, the man with whom she committed the sexual sin was never brought to the picture by way of mentioning or questioning let alone to trial for judgment. This gender injustice will end someday, I believe.
Meanwhile, this incident brings to the fore the call for an answer to the age-long question that ‘why do women hate themselves so much?’ It is believed that women could endure and easily forgive any offence provided it is not about cheating or act of infidelity. More than anything else, women could be very bitter and react wildly if other women are suspected to lurk around their men. I have read some interesting research findings that appear to answer the question in a way.
I feel awkward seeing women molesting themselves because of men. I have witnessed a shameful display of street fight where married women were bleeding as a result of bruises sustained during a fight because one accused the other of seducing her man. A pretty young lady was disfigured by acid bath unleashed on her by her neighbour who alleged the young university graduate was involved in a secret affair with her husband.
If women are to be temperate like men, they will rule the world; not from the bedroom alone, they would take direct charge of political and economic affairs of many nations of the world because they have the voting population to lead.. From the west, political leadership by women are now in vogue. Can we entrust the destiny of a nation to a hotly jealous woman? Women at their boiling point are too difficult to handle or relate with. Their anger knows no bounds.
It is a known fact that from time immemorial, women have always been antagonistic to one another. Women are ready to fight dirty over their men. Commercial sex workers do exchange blows over male clients. Market women also engage in acrimony over their customers especially men because they are easy to exploit. Polygamous homes are soaked with tension and hot rivalry because of one man. It is more daunting for some other women to work with female bosses as subordinates.
For a better society and peaceful homes, women must, as a matter of serious concern, stop loathing and assaulting themselves. The shame of one woman is a shame to all.
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