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Enugu teenagers strip a woman over a sacred snail, causing outrage
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Serious controversy has erupted from the alleged dehumanization of a widow in the Agunese Affam-Mmaku Community in the Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The widow, 57, was paraded through the community sans clothing on Friday for collecting snails from a purportedly sacred forest.
A social media video gone viral showed how the woman was dehumanized by the mob. She was paraded around the community after being undressed and having palm fronts tied around her neck and exposed waist.
The widow was also made to parade the entire community naked while carrying a basket of snails on her head by her abusers, who were primarily local adolescents
The incident has received widespread condemnation from the public, especially from women’s organizations in Enugu State, who called the act demeaning.
In an united statement, the women’s organizations argued that it was cruel to deprive a woman of her pride, which serves as her armor, for nothing more than pieces of snail.
It stings even more to know that these snails are considered sacred based on antiquated laws and are not lab-created or already offered to the gods.
“We shout the loudest to denounce this impunity, this shameful act of guarding a purportedly hallowed spot. We unequivocally offer our voices and efforts to the global call for complete rejection of this. This behavior is outlandish and incredibly annoying.
“How do we maintain this woman’s nudity after showing the world how naked she is? We can shamefully agree that the majority of the globe must have already seen this, thus the speed and virality of social media should not be taken lightly.
“We denounce everything about this and demand that those responsible be held accountable. After carrying bags of snails to beg this woman, they must apologize to all ladies in the country and pay a sizable fee to her.
“As we write this, we wish it had never happened; how much longer will women be subjected to societal thrashing and ridicule? This is both terrible and wholly unacceptable. Every act of chauvinism towards this woman is condemned. Would they have treated a male in this way? Yes!! Maybe if he was arrested for murder or high-way theft; collecting snails would be the very last thing on his mind.
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“May God have mercy on women’s futures in our society. Not a single man, not even one, said, “Hold on.” It’s quite unfortunate, and no amount of pleading will be able to prevent us from picturing her naked in our imaginations.
As women, human rights activists, representatives of organizations that support women and all people, we strongly condemn this.
The following people signed the statement:
Amb. Onyii Mamah, president of the Women Support Women organization and executive director of the Heroine Women Foundation
Amb. Mrs. Amaka Nweke JP is the country director and executive director of the Amaka Nweke Foundation and Global Society for Anti-Corruption.
