This is one of many prevailing phenomena that are plaguing our society today. Women, despite their social status, are still being seen as sexual objects. They are also being sexually harassed because of the appalling stereotype that society has constructed for women by reducing them to the weaker and lesser sex which should be dominated by men.
The predominance of this obvious fallacy in our society has given rise to the audacious behaviours of men to use women as objects to satisfy their sexual gratifications. The result is sombre, owing to the fact that this evil act has led to a lot of women, especially young women, to their early graves, while some have been left to wallow with the trauma of their saddening experience, which is so heartbreaking.
In this patrachial society, a lot of women are using all their means to raise their voices against the sexual harassment of women by the domineering male sex.
Estimates published by WHO indicate that globally about 1 in 3 (30%) of women worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women) But then, when accounting for actual sexual harassment, the figure is probably higher. There are a lot of people who wouldn't speak up at all.
In Nigerian society, a lot of women and young women have complained of sexual harassment, while some have kept their mouths closed. A lot of people see this issue as being of little significance. However, this is a critical issue that shouldn't be treated with levity as it has subjected a lot of women into thinking lowly of themselves as a mere object for the sexual gratifications of men.
Ethically, justice should be carried out on the culprits so as to serve as a lesson for other men who see women as sexual objects and harass them also.
Talking from a personal angle, I recalled a recent incident that happened a few weeks ago. It was one afternoon as I headed to school to attend lectures. On this fateful day, the sun was so hot at its highest temperature, and the whole environment was quiet. There were no people on the road and as I continued to walk through this quiet and narrow road that led to the back gate of my campus, I sighted a young man who was sexually harassing a coursemate of mine who was also heading to school for the lectures. Quickly, I approached them as the girl began to raise alarm. Before I could hasten my steps and get to them, the young man fled. I walked over to inquire about what transpired between them. She told me that the disgraceful young man had touched her breasts and was trying to drag her into the bush. She said he was even telling her that there was nothing she could do since nobody was around to help her. I had to sympathise with her and we ensured that all her valuables were intact.
Looking back, I keep wondering; what if I didn't show up? What if no one came to her rescue? What kind of impact has her experience with that scornful young man ingrained in her? The consequences are grave and it can destabilise her mentally.
Moving ahead, it should be strongly upheld that women are not sexual objects and they should be given due respect. The idea of women as the weaker and less sex as a whole is a fallacy.
In my opinion, this controversial issue should be strongly looked into so as to address the rising concern of sexual harassment and debunk the idea of women as sexual objects. Hence, this brings me to say that in all our relationships with the female sex, the expected reference, admiration and honour should be given to them.