A Nigerian businesswoman has sparked debate with her controversial advice to mothers on how to protect their daughters from rape. Ijeoma Chinonyerem, in a Facebook post, argued that telling men not to rape women is ineffective and called for a shift in approach.
Teach daughters to see every man as potential rapist
Chinonyerem urged mothers to teach their daughters to be street smart and aware of the dangers in the world. She specifically advised that daughters should never visit any man in a private place, regardless of how nice, innocent, or trustworthy he may seem. The businesswoman went further, stating that mothers should teach their daughters to view every man as a "potential rapist" until he proves otherwise. "It is all men, all men are potential rapists. Teach it to your child," she wrote. "Women are too trusting. We have no right to be this trusting."
Context of the advice
Her statement comes in the wake of a tragic incident where a young woman committed suicide after being raped by a content creator she had visited, who had promised to teach her how to create viral content. The incident has reignited conversations about women's safety and the prevalence of sexual violence in Nigeria.
Chinonyerem's remarks have drawn mixed reactions, with some supporting the need for heightened awareness and others criticizing the generalization of all men as potential threats. The debate continues as the country grapples with a worsening rape crisis.
