As Seen On BBC Africa: Vickie Remoe on sexual harassment, gender inequality #TheSheWord

Last month I was invited to participate on BBC Africa’s #TheSheWord along with three other panelists; Anita Nderu, Shade Ladipo, and Lady Mandy. Below is the video from the show that was broadcast on BBC and partner channels. Leave a comment let me know your thoughts. Thanks

“The situation in Sierra Leone it is that last year, they had 8500 reported cases across the whole country Sierra Leone has a population of 7 million people. It was a rise of more than 4000 from the previous year. And so it is quite alarming. But what's important to note is that it isn't so much a question of a rise in cases as a rising reported case. While there were two centers before we now have five centers.”

“The ultimate problem isn't necessarily a question of, you know, bad lyrics and songs. It's more a manifestation of gender inequality, which is deeply entrenched in our customary laws in our customary system. And also some of our laws and even in our constitution don't reinforce more freedom and more rights for women. In fact, they tend to reinforce the customary practices which give default powers to men and so those powers go uncheck  men feel like you know, women are for the taking, girls are for the taking. And that's ultimately the problem in Sierra Leone that we don't do enough to protect our girls and our women that predators in our communities feel like well, you know, I can bring a little girl to my room and do whatever I want to her. Why not?”

“The reason why a woman may feel she has to have sex for opportunities is about coding. From when you’re small you’re told that the best thing you can be is a wife or a mother. And that if you’re going to be rich it is because you marry a rich man. We don’t get told that as a young girl you can be anything.

We need equal access to opportunities at every level, not just in Nollywood, or in entertainment. It is science, its innovation, its politics. It also means protection under the law. Our governments and our legislatures need to put laws in place that protect women against sexual harassment in the work place. It about the #metoo movement in Hollywood, and changing the way business is done and its no longer a boys game. The final thing is education; for boys and for girls growing up in this century to recognize that the standards are the same for all of us. Equal access and we can all accomplish the same things if you work hard and it doest matter if you’re a man or a woman.

- Vickie Remoe - #TheSheWord