The tragic death of Christiana Idowu, a student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has once again underscored the vulnerability of women in our society. Christiana was abducted while traveling for industrial training in Lagos. Despite her family’s efforts to secure her release by paying a ransom of N350,000, she was brutally murdered by her kidnappers, who had previously demanded N3 million. What makes this even more chilling is that the culprit was not a stranger but a former acquaintance. This tragic event is a reflection of how unsafe it has become for women, as perpetrators often emerge from within their circles of trust​.

For years, women have been easy targets often preyed upon by those they know or should be able to trust. Kidnappings, assaults, and murders of women highlight systemic failures in our societal structures that perpetuate a cycle of victimization. Women are more vulnerable to violence due to societal norms, a lack of sufficient protection, and inadequate consequences for offenders.

This must change. Women need to start protecting themselves, not just physically but emotionally and mentally. Here’s a guide to begin:

Guide to Self-Protection for Women:

1. Trust Your Instincts: Always listen to your gut feeling. If something feels off about someone, even if they’re a friend or colleague, take note of it.
2. Stay Connected: Inform friends and family of your whereabouts, especially when meeting someone or going to an unfamiliar location. Share locations through apps or leave breadcrumbs of information that can help in case of emergencies.
3. Self-Defense Training: Invest in self-defense classes or carry safety tools such as pepper spray. Learning how to protect yourself physically can sometimes make a difference in dangerous situations.
4. Be Financially Aware: Never share sensitive information like bank details or passwords. A sad reality is that those closest to you can exploit your vulnerabilities, especially financial ones.
5. Boundaries and Red Flags: Be mindful of people who try to isolate you from your support system or who display controlling or obsessive behaviors. These can be early signs of larger, more dangerous issues.
6. Demand Accountability: Advocate for stronger laws and quicker response times for cases of female-targeted crimes. Community awareness and pressure can drive faster actions from law enforcement.

Women like Christiana, who fell victim to those who should have been her protectors, remind us that we need to be vigilant. Women deserve to live in a world where they aren’t easy targets. Until that world exists, protecting ourselves is essential.

#JusticeForChristianah

By Edima Columbus