A disturbing trend has emerged in the land, femicide – the systemic killing of women.
This is often at the hands of those closest to us. The very people who are supposed to provide love, protection, and care are instead turning into the perpetrators of this heinous act.
On the 13th of November, 2023, Akwu was rocked by the tragic news of Grace Ogebe, a young woman whose life was cruelly snuffed out by the hands of her estranged partner.
Grace, a 25-year-old marketing executive, had tried to break free from the toxic relationship that had been spiraling into violence for months. She had confided in friends about the abusive nature of her partner, a man with a history of violent tendencies.
In a last-ditch effort to escape his wrath, Grace sought refuge with family, but her abuser, determined to exert control, tracked her down.
That fateful night, she was brutally murdered. The police were slow to respond, and even when they did, it was almost too late. The damage had already been done, leaving behind not only a broken family but also an entire community questioning how something so preventable could have escalated to such a horrific end.
Usually the reason for Femicide is not far-fetched. Some men think women are inferior and should obey men at home, at work, and in government. This way of thinking allows violence against women to happen and be ignored. Some people even believe that women’s only role is to serve men, obey them, and suffer in silence.
The case of Oluwatoyin Adebayo, a 31-year-old lawyer highlights this problem. Oluwatoyin’s life was tragically cut short, allegedly by her partner, a prominent politician in the region. Although she had repeatedly sought protection from the authorities, her reports were dismissed as trivial, and her complaints about ongoing threats were ignored. Only after her brutal death did the media take notice, and once again, the question arose: Why had nobody acted sooner?
Oluwatoyin’s story is not unique. Many women find themselves in similar predicaments, often ignored, belittled, and left vulnerable until it’s too late. Their abusers, many of whom hold power, frequently walk free, emboldened by the weak legal framework, slow judicial processes, and societal complicity in maintaining male dominance.
Take, for instance, the case of Amina Hassan, a 28-year-old teacher, who was killed by her husband in a brutal act of rage. Despite multiple reports from neighbors about the escalating violence in her home, Amina’s complaints were largely ignored by local authorities. After her death, the police made little effort to track down the perpetrator, and his whereabouts remained unknown for weeks. Even when he was finally apprehended, his trial moved at a glacial pace, showcasing the stark disconnect between the law and the lives of women.
What often goes unnoticed is that the law itself, in many cases, does little to protect women. Despite the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP) of 2015, which is meant to safeguard women from domestic violence, implementation remains inconsistent.
For instance, while the law mandates that women should have access to protection orders, few women know about them or can afford the legal fees to access them. In rural areas, the situation is even worse, as many women are unaware of their rights or have no legal recourse when their lives are threatened. Beyond the brutal killings, there’s a silent, ongoing epidemic of emotional and psychological abuse that escalates into femicide.
Emotional torment, financial dependence, and a complete lack of agency erode the will to live for many women in Nigeria. Too often, these women suffer in silence, believing that there is no escape from their tormentors.
Femicide is not merely an isolated issue but a systemic failure that affects women of all ages, classes, and backgrounds in Nigeria. It’s a clear indicator of the ongoing violence women face in their homes and communities. As this alarming trend continues to rise, the question that remains unanswered is: How long can this continue before the fabric of Nigerian society begins to unravel?
There is a pressing need for widespread awareness, urgent legal reform, and a societal shift that recognizes women as equal human beings deserving of dignity and protection. Until this happens, the bloodshed will continue, and more innocent lives will be lost. The stories of Grace, Oluwatoyin and Amina, must serve as a wake-up call.
Each life is not just a statistic, but a testament to the vulnerabilities women face in a society that continues to turn a blind eye.
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on these harrowing stories, let us ask ourselves: What kind of future do we want for the women of Nigeria? A future of safety, respect, and equality or one of continued violence and silence?
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