I was introduced to a women's prayer group some years ago. At that time I loved going to pray with other women at the meeting point, which was a large beautiful hall that could contain over 1500 people.

I was a member for many months. During the Coza saga, their leader came for a program, and as she preached she made mention of Busola, paraphrasing " Why did she share that story? Does she know how God has used him to convert many sinners? Does she know how many more souls will be converted through him? She shouldn't have told her story, there was no point".

To say I was stunned is an understatement, everything remained still, did she just say that or were my ears deceiving me? You mean, a leader who has so much influence, lessened the act and effects of r@pe just like that while blaming the victim. She spared no thought for what the victim went through and is going through.

There were whispers around me, most were in support of what she said. You know what is said about women being gatekeepers of patriarchy, I saw it in full display that day. It's sad that in a world where women and girls are discriminated against every second,

the ENABLERS who would do anything to protect perpetrators of r@pe are women.

It didn't matter how Holy Ghost-filled they were, the same results or even worse. They idolised men especially "so-called men of God" even in wrong and will willingly safeguard the gates of patriarchy.

As much as I loved praying with the women there, I was no longer comfortable being a member. All I could think of was "Most of them are enablers, this is against your principles as a person". So I couldn't knowingly be around people who blamed survivors and preferred they died with their truth UNSAID just to protect the perpetrators. That was how I stopped going to pray there to date.

This is one reason acts of violence will continue to go on in religious institutions, not because the clergy are blind to it but because they would rather do nothing for justice to be served. Jesus fought for the discriminated, those called unworthy were those he drew close to Him. There was no mention of s€xual abuse in the time He preached but if there was I know He would have fought for justice to be served. I know He wouldn't have kept quiet.

It's a shame religious institutions believe the best way to solve a report of s€xual abuse is to sweep it under the carpet. It has never been the solution and it will never be. They would instead protect the perpetrator and brainwash the victim and her/his parents.

#EndGBV

#GBVSeries78