Women are quintessential to society and the creation of life. From childbirth to child-rearing, women play a unique and integral role in the development and nurture of individuals who in turn shape society. Yet, due to patriarchy women are often considered morally, intellectually, and physically inferior to men within various societies. With such thoughts and ideologies constructed to limit women, factors such as race, socioeconomic status, education, and family background, further decreases a women’s perceived value and access to opportunities in society.
For women of colour, violence against women is a pervasive and prevalent issue that continuously goes unreported and under-addressed within society. Violence against women goes beyond physical abuse. The definition of violence against women includes forced marriage, dowry-related violence, marital rape, sexual harassment, rape, sexual assault, intimidation at work and in educational institutions, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, forced sterilization, trafficking, and forced prostitution.
UN Women reports the following statistics:
35 percent of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence, often with severe if not fatal consequences.
60 percent of Black girls are sexually abused before they reach the age of 18.
It is estimated that of the 87,000 women who were intentionally killed in 2017 globally, more than half (50,000- 58 percent) were killed by intimate partners or family members, meaning that 137 women across the world are killed by a member of their own family every day.
12 million girls under 18 are married each year and in sub-Saharan Afric. Almost four out of 10 young women were married before their 18th birthday.
At least 200 million women and girls aged 15-49 have undergone female genital mutilation in the 30 countries with representative data on prevalence.
Less than 40 percent of the women who experience violence seek the help of any sort. Among women who do, most look to family and friends and very few look to formal institutions and mechanisms, such as police and health services.
Less than 10 percent of those women seeking help for an experience of violence sought help by appealing to the police
Approximately 15 million adolescent girls (aged 15 to 19) worldwide have experienced forced sex (forced sexual intercourse or other sexual acts) at some point in their life. In the vast majority of countries, adolescent girls are most at risk of forced sex by a current/former husband, partner, or boyfriend.
This week, a 19-year-old woman named Oluwatoyin “Toyin” Salau was found dead on Monday morning after being reported missing. Toyin was known as a Black Lives Matter protester/activist from Florida. On June 6, 2020, Toyin tweeted her story about being sexually assaulted/ molested; that same day she was reported as missing. In her tweets, Toyin details her story of a man offering her a ride to recollect her items and later molesting her while she tried to sleep.
Stories like Toyin’s are heartbreaking and unveil realities many women across the world are unfortunately subjected to. We need to stand up and protect women of colour. It is our duty as a community to protect Black and brown girls and women from acts of violence.
This week we explore songs that depict violence against women alongside songs which also praise our black queens.
This week the Category is “Love on a Queen.”
RnM – Echo ft. Trigmatic
RnM (Rhythm & Melody) is a Ghanaian female group. In 2013, RnM partnered with Trigamatic to create Echo. Narrated from a women’s perspective, RnM provides insight into the cycle of abuse.
Becca – Daa Ke Daa
Becca is a Ghanaian singer and songwriter. In the song, Daa ke Daa, Becca sheds light on the issue of domestic violence and its effects on a relationship. Becca blends English, Ga, and Twi to deliver a melodious yet sorrowful ballad.
Ebony – Maame Hw3
Ebony Reigns contributes to the discussion about violence against women with Maame Hw3. Maame Hw3 is a hiplife song that provides a reflective view of abuse and the cycle of domestic violence.
Cina Soul – Killi Mi
Killi Mi is a soothing highlife song that tackles the topic of abuse in relationships. Cina Soul and NiiQuaye take listeners on a musical journey with this sombre yet rhythmic tune.
Here are a few songs which speak to loving and embracing our Queens.
2face – African Queen
African Queen is a song that is bound to give you Goosebumps. A guitar ballad infused with folk and hip-hop elements, African Queen is a classic song praising and loving on African queens.2face released a remix of African Queen in 2017.
Becca – African Woman
African Woman is an ode to the beauty, strength, and vigour of the African woman. Becca captures the beauty and pride of African women in this soulful highlife song.
Prince Nico Mbarga- Sweet Mother
Sweet Mother is a highlife song by the Nigerian and Cameroonian singer Prince Nico Mbarga and his band Rocafil Jazz. Released in 1976, Sweet Mother is a celebration of motherhood, sung in Nigerian Pidgin English.
So Beautiful
So beautiful is a song dedicated to all the beautiful mothers and caretakers in the world. This heartfelt song will force you to ponder on the power a woman possesses.
