Sexual harassment saga exposes disturbing trend of women betraying women, RULAAC

Stanley Ihedigbo

Recent Natasha Akpabio sex harassment saga has brought to light a disturbing trend where some women, who could also be victims of sexual harassment, choose to betray and discredit a fellow woman who has spoken out against her experiences.

According to the Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Okechukwu Nwanguma, this betrayal is often motivated by financial gain or personal interests, rather than a genuine concern for the truth or a desire to support a fellow woman.

Nwanguma emphasized that this phenomenon is a stark reminder of the ways in which internalized misogyny and patriarchal norms can lead women to perpetuate harm against one another, rather than standing in solidarity and fighting for collective liberation from sexual oppression.

“It’s essential to recognize that women who speak out against sexual harassment are often met with resistance, ridicule, and victim-blaming. This can be particularly challenging when women are betrayed by their own peers, who should be allies in the fight against sexual harassment,” he stressed.

Nwanguma stressed the importance of creating a culture where women feel supported and empowered to speak out against sexual harassment, without fear of retribution or betrayal.

” This requires a collective effort to dismantle patriarchal norms and promote a culture of solidarity, empathy, and understanding,” he stated.