The Nation Newspaper

Tag: effects

  • Fibroid: Causes, effects and how to deal with it

    Clearly, there is a knowledge gap about fibroid in the perspectives of the public. This gap has given rise to a lot of mythical beliefs about the cause and treatment of fibroid. I have seen advertisements in public places such as eateries, market places and public business that promote a cure-all concoction directed at curing fibroid. More often, this sort of unproven preparations are inactive substances meant to defraud the victims. Women and families should be careful when this kind of “medicine” are being marketed to them. The myth surrounding fibroid is made worse by press stories and rumours of VIPs and eminent persons that died as a result of “fibroid operation”. In fact, what may have killed these important individuals may not be directed related to the fibroid or the surgery. What Are Uterine Fibroids? Taking a cue from WebMD and Mayo Clinic, uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths of the muscle tissue of the uterus. Fibroids can range in number and size from a single growth to multiple growths, and from very small to large, as many as 70 percent to 80 percent of all women will have fibroids by age 50. The medical term for fibroids is leiomyoma or myoma. Classification of Fibroid: Fibroid can be classed as follows: Intramural fibroids, the most common, grow in the wall of the uterus and can make it feel bigger. Subserosal fibroids grow on the outside of the uterus. As they grow larger, they can cause pain due to their size or pressure put on nearby organs. Submucosal fibroids grow just underneath the uterine lining and can crowd into the uterus cavity and lead to heavy bleeding and other more serious complications. Pedunculated fibroids grow on small stalks inside or outside the uterus. It’s possible to have more than one type of fibroid. Causes of Fibroid: Being a woman (needless to say) is a major factor. Having no pregnancy , longer exposure to the hormone estrogen. Family history, being Black African, being over age of 30 (note fertility also begin to fall rapidly) and having high body weight (obesity) are risk factors for developing fibroid. Pregnancy may make fibroid worse (growth / pain). The Symptoms that Fibroid Sufferers May Experience: Relying on the discussion by Health line, fibroid; may cause nothing especially if small. May cause heavy and or prolonged menstrual bleeding depending on location and size. May cause pressure in abdomen if large enough or cause pain if it got twisted on its stalk. It may also cause lower back pain. Pain is likely during pregnancy when fibroid may degenerate. Increased urination by pressing on the bladder is another likely development. Cramping during Menstrual Period is a common feature. Swelling or enlargement of uterus even without pregnancy may occur. Pain during intercourse if a frequent complaint. Signs That the Doctors May Detect: Doctor will take full history and detect his own signs such as: Discovering of swelling of womb/uterus and abdomen during examination. Ultrasound (which may be trans-vaginal (better) or trans-abdominal) is a key and most common investigation to discovering, locating and measuring fibroid. MRI/CT could be used but highly expensive but more specific than ultrasound.

    Treatment of Fibroid: Non-medical treatment is simply a medical or conservative treatment. Medical treatment will not remove a fibroid but may bring it to a level that will help achieve the desired objective for the time being. Example: Medication may stop heavy bleeding. Medication may reduce the swelling, pressure and pain. In some occasions, fertility may be improved. Fibroid is not generally a cause of infertility. The recommendation for dealing with fibroid is as follows. •Thorough counseling to discover why the need for treatment is required in the first instance for example: Is the treatment for fertility/reproduction, heavy bleeding, pain, pressure or abdominal swelling? • Use of various medications will be directed toward achieving the specific objective(s) listed above. •Some of such medications must only be used by specialists in the field to manage fibroid. Some contraceptive medications/devices may help. • Common pain killers or over the counter medications may however be used to control the pain and heavy periods. • Menopause may naturally cause fibroid to shrink because of fall in estrogen levels. 6. Fibroid Remedy: Exercise. Regular exercise may prevent fibroids. In one study, women who exercised seven or more hours a week had significantly fewer fibroids than women who exercised less than two hours a week. Obesity also is a risk factor for fibroids. So exercising regularly can help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce your fibroid risk. Care for Anemia: Women with fibroids who are not getting enough iron through diet alone may develop anemia, where the body has fewer red blood cells than normal. Symptoms include fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Treatment may include eating more iron-rich foods, such as meats, poultry, fish, leafy greens, legumes, and iron-fortified breads and cereals.

    • Myomectomy by open surgery or laparoscopy (directly or via morcellation). • Hysterectomy.
    • Ultrasound surgery using MRI.4. •Endometrial ablation to remove. A morcellator is a surgical instrument used for division and removal of large masses of tissues during laparoscopicsurgery. In laparoscopic hysterectomy the uterus is minced up, or morcellated, into smaller pieces inside the woman’s belly cavity in order to extract from the abdomen. •Embolization. For mild to moderate symptoms, uterine fibroid embolisation may be a good option. A catheter is guided to the uterine artery. Tiny particles of plastic or gelatin are then released into the blood vessels that feed the fibroid, causing it to shrink over time. Embolisation should not be an option for women wanting to get pregnant at some point after treatment. In summary, fibroid is common, non cancerous but also treatable by trained specialists.

  • Fibroid: Causes, effects and how to deal with it

    Clearly, there is a knowledge gap about fibroid in the perspectives of the public. This gap has given rise to a lot of mythical beliefs about the cause and treatment of fibroid. I have seen advertisements in public places such as eateries, market places and public business that promote a cure-all concoction directed at curing fibroid. More often, this sort of unproven preparations are inactive substances meant to defraud the victims. Women and families should be careful when this kind of “medicine” are being marketed to them.

    The myth surrounding fibroid is made worse by press stories and rumours of VIPs and eminent persons that died as a result of “fibroid operation”. In fact, what may have killed these important individuals may not be directed related to the fibroid or the surgery. What Are Uterine Fibroids? Taking a cue from WebMD and Mayo Clinic, uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths of the muscle tissue of the uterus. Fibroids can range in number and size from a single growth to multiple growths, and from very small to large, as many as 70 percent to 80 percent of all women will have fibroids by age 50. The medical term for fibroids is leiomyoma or myoma. Classification of Fibroid: Fibroid can be classed as follows: Intramural fibroids, the most common, grow in the wall of the uterus and can make it feel bigger. Subserosal fibroids grow on the outside of the uterus. As they grow larger, they can cause pain due to their size or pressure put on nearby organs. Submucosal fibroids grow just underneath the uterine lining and can crowd into the uterus cavity and lead to heavy bleeding and other more serious complications. Pedunculated fibroids grow on small stalks inside or outside the uterus. It’s possible to have more than one type of fibroid. Causes of Fibroid: Being a woman (needless to say) is a major factor. Having no pregnancy , longer exposure to the hormone estrogen. Family history, being Black African, being over age of 30 (note fertility also begin to fall rapidly) and having high body weight (obesity) are risk factors for developing fibroid. Pregnancy may make fibroid worse (growth / pain).

    The Symptoms that Fibroid Sufferers May Experience: Relying on the discussion by Health line, fibroid; may cause nothing especially if small. May cause heavy and or prolonged menstrual bleeding depending on location and size. May cause pressure in abdomen if large enough or cause pain if it got twisted on its stalk. It may also cause lower back pain. Pain is likely during pregnancy when fibroid may degenerate. Increased urination by pressing on the bladder is another likely development. Cramping during Menstrual Period is a common feature. Swelling or enlargement of uterus even without pregnancy may occur. Pain during intercourse if a frequent complaint. Signs That the Doctors May Detect: Doctor will take full history and detect his own signs such as: Discovering of swelling of womb/uterus and abdomen during examination. Ultrasound {which may be trans-vaginal (better) or trans-abdominal} is a key and most common investigation to discovering, locating and measuring fibroid. MRI/CT could be used but highly expensive but more specific than ultrasound.

    Treatment of Fibroid: Non-medical treatment is simply a medical or conservative treatment. Medical treatment will not remove a fibroid but may bring it to a level that will help achieve the desired objective for the time being. Example: Medication may stop heavy bleeding. Medication may reduce the swelling, pressure and pain. In some occasions, fertility may be improved. Fibroid is not generally a cause of infertility. The recommendation for dealing with fibroid is as follows. •Thorough counseling to discover why the need for treatment is required in the first instance for example: Is the treatment for fertility/reproduction, heavy bleeding, pain, pressure or abdominal swelling? • Use of various medications will be directed toward achieving the specific objective(s) listed above. *. Some of such medications must only be used by specialists in the field to manage fibroid. Some contraceptive medications/devices may help. • Common pain killers or over the counter medications may however be used to control the pain and heavy periods. • Menopause may naturally cause fibroid to shrink because of fall in estrogen levels. 6. Fibroid Remedy: Exercise. Regular exercise may prevent fibroids. In one study, women who exercised seven or more hours a week had significantly fewer fibroids than women who exercised less than two hours a week. Obesity also is a risk factor for fibroids. So exercising regularly can help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce your fibroid risk. Care for Anemia: Women with fibroids who are not getting enough iron through diet alone may develop anemia, where the body has fewer red blood cells than normal. Symptoms include fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Treatment may include eating more iron-rich foods, such as meats, poultry, fish, leafy greens, legumes, and iron-fortified breads and cereals.

    • Myomectomy by open surgery or laparoscopy (directly or via morcellation). • Hysterectomy.
    • Ultrasound surgery using MRI.4. •Endometrial ablation to remove. A morcellator is a surgical instrument used for division and removal of large masses of tissues during laparoscopicsurgery. In laparoscopic hysterectomy the uterus is minced up, or morcellated, into smaller pieces inside the woman’s belly cavity in order to extract from the abdomen. •Embolization. For mild to moderate symptoms, uterine fibroid embolisation may be a good option. A catheter is guided to the uterine artery. Tiny particles of plastic or gelatin are then released into the blood vessels that feed the fibroid, causing it to shrink over time. Embolisation should not be an option for women wanting to get pregnant at some point after treatment. In summary, fibroid is common, non cancerous but also treatable by trained specialists.

     

  • ‘Landscaping helps mitigate negative climate change effects’

    ‘Landscaping helps mitigate negative climate change effects’

    The role of landscape architects in the building of  Nigeria is misuderstood. This is because a lot of people believe landscape architects are gardeners.

    But to Fadera Williams, Nigeria’s first lanscape architect, landscape architects are “Environmental doctors” of our time. She said that while the misconception of the profession is prevalent here, she said that on the international front, a lot is being done to integrate landscape architects into sustainable development goals and there has been a call for the international landscape convention from continent to continent. For this to happen, each country in the continent in question is required to come up with a landscape charter that is region specific and integrate it into a holistic picture. This is because all over the world, the world leaders are beginning to realise that the interpretation of what landscape relationship is to man is the key to solving most of the cross purposes mankind as found himself in with Mother Nature.

     

    Landscaping as a concept

    It is the design of outdoor public areas, landmarks, and structures to achieve environmental, social-behavioural, or aesthetic outcomes. It involves the systematic investigation of existing social, ecological, and geological conditions and processes in the landscape, and the design of interventions that will produce the desired outcome. In simpler terms.it is the architecture of outdoor spaces. That is an attempt to blend the available building technology with the environment. We build roads and we destroy the river basins; we drill oil and we disrupt the ecosystem of the aquatic organisms. We prepare Environmental impact assessment reports for major constructions, for oil drilling activities, for any activity that would generally affect the environment negatively. We also design private, public outdoor spaces, hotspots of social interaction, health farms, urban agriculture gardens, parks and gardens and so many more.

     

    Benefits to buildings

    It is all aimed at creating harmony and balance with nature. Buildings do not only get beautified by landscape designs, they also have some health benefits. According to the research of my master’s thesis, I discovered that a small estate like Atunrase estate Gbagada was emitting close to 200,000kg of Carbon from domestic source carbon emissions from the use of Kerosene, briquette, cooking gas and petrol only without putting into consideration vehicular influx and outflux of  carbon emissions. Also a total of 3,350 shrubs and a total of 1668 trees are proposed to offset these emissions in the estate. These means that if every home planted a tree and the parcel of land available used for tree planting and the canal scaping was done, the small residential estate could cater for its domestic source emissions. This tells us the potential that residential areas have towards addressing the problem of climate change. Apart from this it has health benefits because inhaling oxygen which is a bye product of plant photosynthesis is actually beneficial to humans. Another benefit of trees and plants generally is the protection they serve as windbreakers for seasons where the wind might have carted away your roof!

     

    Landscape architecture vs climate change

    Landscape architecture has a critical role to play in mitigating and ameliorating the impacts of climate change in Nigeria. Let’s take flooding as a typical example. The problem of coastal flooding has been heightened by global warming and as a result, Landscape architecture is positioned to provide the following services; Design for Flood protection, Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), River and basin management plans, Room for the River, Multifunctional Levees, Waterfront development and so on. Apart from this, carbon sequestration by vegetation is the way by which carbon is being stored in the body parts of plants such as roots, stem, leaves etc. This way, Carbon which is one of the most lethal greenhouse gases is mopped up and taken away from the atmosphere.

     

    • Williams is a Landscape

    Architect in Lagos.

  • ‘Landscaping helps mitigate against negative climate change effects’

    ‘Landscaping helps mitigate against negative climate change effects’

    Fadera Williams is Nigeria’s first landscape architect produced by the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and, by extension, in the West African region. A botanist, she also studied at the University of Ibadan, (UI) and Horschule Fur Nurtingen, Germany. Williams, who is President, Society of Landscape Architects of Nigeria (Southwest Chapter) and an adjunct Lecturer at UNILAG, where she teaches Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design, is a Ph.d candidate of the Department of Architecture, University of Lagos. She speaks to MUYIWA LUCAS on Landscape Architecture 

    Landscape architecture in Nigeria is a budding profession in Nigeria. In fact, most of the Landscape Architects  in Nigeria are foreign trained. The role of landscape architects in the building of our nation is not well understood. A lot of people believe landscape architects are gardeners or like some say ‘Landscapers’.  I call landscape architects the “Environmental doctors” of our time. Interestingly, on the international front, a lot is being done to integrate landscape architects into sustainable development goals and there has been a call for the international landscape convention from continent to continent. For this to happen, each country in the continent in question is required to come up with a landscape charter that is region specific and integrate it into a holistic picture. This is because all over the world, the world leaders are beginning to realise that the interpretation of what landscape relationship is to man is the key to solving most of the cross purposes mankind as found himself in with Mother Nature. However, in Nigeria, sadly, we are yet to be thinking in this direction. Hitherto, different built environment professionals such as urban planners, building architects e.t.c have attempted to do the work of landscape architects but thankfully, we as a profession are gradually growing in our great nation and things are beginning to take shape.

     

    Landscaping as a concept

    It is the design of outdoor public areas, landmarks, and structures to achieve environmental, social-behavioural, or aesthetic outcomes. It involves the systematic investigation of existing social, ecological, and geological conditions and processes in the landscape, and the design of interventions that will produce the desired outcome. In simpler terms.it is the architecture of outdoor spaces. That is an attempt to blend the available building technology with the environment. Of all the species of creation, it seems as though it is only man who builds houses and affects the environment. We build roads and we destroy the river basins; we drill oil and we disrupt the ecosystem of the aquatic organisms. My responsibility as a landscape architect is to create a synchrony with  the environment and the technology in question, (be it a building technology or otherwise) We prepare Environmental impact assessment reports for major constructions, for oil drilling activities, for any activity that would generally affect the environment negatively. We also design private, public outdoor spaces, hotspots of social interaction, health farms, urban agriculture gardens, parks and gardens and so many more.

     

    Benefits to buildings

    It is all aimed at creating harmony and balance with nature. Buildings do not only get beautified by landscape designs, they also have some health benefits. According to the research of my master’s thesis, I discovered that a small estate like Atunrase estate Gbagada was emitting close to 200,000kg of Carbon from domestic source carbon emissions from the use of Kerosene, briquette, cooking gas and petrol only without putting into consideration vehicular influx and outflux of  carbon emissions. Also a total of 3,350 shrubs and a total of 1668 trees are proposed to offset these emissions in the estate. These means that if every home planted a tree and the parcel of land available used for tree planting and the canal scaping was done, the small residential estate could cater for its domestic source emissions. This tells us the potential that residential areas have towards addressing the problem of climate change. Apart from this it has health benefits because inhaling oxygen which is a bye product of plant photosynthesis is actually beneficial to humans. Another benefit of trees and plants generally is the protection they serve as windbreakers for seasons where the wind might have carted away your roof! And trees are the first line of defense against erosion during the time of rains or floods. Greening our homes has become so important it is no longer considered as luxury but rather as Green infrastructure.

     

    Landscape architecture vs climate change

    Landscape architecture has a critical role to play in mitigating and ameliorating the impacts of climate change in Nigeria. Let’s take flooding as a typical example. The problem of coastal flooding has been heightened by global warming and as a result, Landscape architecture is positioned to provide the following services; Design for Flood protection, Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), River and basin management plans, Room for the River, Multifunctional Levees, Waterfront development and so on. Apart from this, carbon sequestration by vegetation is the way by which carbon is being stored in the body parts of plants such as roots, stem, leaves etc. This way, Carbon which is one of the most lethal greenhouse gases is mopped up and taken away from the atmosphere. Landscape architects are responsible for estimating and drawing up a landscape plan on a local, regional or national scale to address the possibility of introducing urban forestry into the Nigerian landscape.

     

    Landscape architecture in Nigeria

    Well, I would say Nigeria has been gradually embracing this concept. We see how Lagos was transformed by the preceding governors of Lagos state, in the persons of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN). Also the current Governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode is working at continuing the building process and hopefully we would get to see him take the greening of the Lagos metropolis to finishing. The truth is such brave acts at greening the Lagos metropolis must be emulated in all 36 states in Nigeria. The era of reactionary leadership where environmental concerns are involved is over! It is time to be proactive and think and plan ahead for the impending climate change impacts. Another way Nigeria can embrace the concept of Landscape architecture combating climate change is to employ the services of landscape architects to prepare a plan of action for the nation taking a bottom up, socio-cultural specific approach towards combating climate change. This we must always have ready so as to be able to tap into and effectively utilize as many funds available to developing countries in the international committee of nations.

     

    Cost implication of landscaping

    Landscaping is not as expensive as a lot of people think it is. If you take a typical building project, what you find is that house owners end up using hardscape for their landscape. Whether they employ the help of a landscape architect or not, they tend to spend on flooring the outdoor landscape and so on. However if you employ the services of a landscape architect, not only would the professional help to design the outdoor spaces but the job can be done at only a fraction higher than what you will spend using individual non-professional artisans. At our own landscape services firm, Hermon Empor limited. We have a vision to stand as a  leading landscape firm committed to innovation, beauty and respect for the environment. At Hermon Empor, our slogan is “Your environment tells me who you are.”  Our pricing is affordable, our job is professional and we always create an environment that makes you happy. A basic landscaping project that entails only the soft scape depends on the area earmarked for greening and it ranges from N150,000 upwards. However when paverblocks or hardscape is concerned, then the expense will include the area of coverage of the hardscape.

    The truth is even if you cannot afford to landscape your whole outdoor space, I think it is very necessary to plant at least a tree or two in your compound. There is a research that says that one fully mature tree can cater for the oxygen needs of a family of four people. There are definitely health benefits in the greenspaces. A study showed that children who had exposure to outdoor green environment displayed more joy and contentment than those cooped up indoors. Also there has been an emergence of what is known as therapeutic gardens. These are gardens which heal the mind and the body. Plants generally are known to bring calmness to an environment and the breath of fresh oxygen they provide does indeed clear the head.

  • How to mitigate effects of climate change, by experts

    How to mitigate effects of climate change, by experts

    Experts have held talks on how to source funds to promote campaigns on climate change adaptation and mitigation in Nigeria. They met last Tuesday during a research seminar organised by Africa Climate Change Adaptation Initiative (ACCAI), University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

    In a lecture titled: Climate finance and associated research opportunities, Mr Olugbolahan Mark-George, a financial adviser and consultant, said the United Nations Framework for Climate Change has earmarked over $30 billion to assist developing countries ease the impact of climate change. He lamented that Nigeria had been unable to access significant fraction of the fund.

    “Nigeria has received no adaptation funding, but has been able to access less funds for climate change mitigation programmes.”

    He blamed the development on initial absence of a national implementing organ in Nigeria, which he said was recently accredited under the Federal Ministry of Environment.

    The financial expert explained that the transformation agenda as pursued by the Federal Government, demanded Nigeria to be a an actor in climate change adaptation and mitigation process, saying that over 50, 000 Nigerians were displaced in 2013 by climate change.

    Mark-George advised participants at the seminar to tailor their researches to solving climate change-related problems to enable them access funds meant for climate change mitigation and adaptation exercises.

    The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Chairman, Africa Climate Change Adaptation Initiative, UNN, Prof Polycarp Chigbu, said although farmers had been facing problems  of climate change for some decades now, the issue was a subject of global  concern.

    Prof Chigbu stressed the determination of the University of Nigeria to be at the forefront of the crusade for climate change mitigation and adaptation in Africa.

    The Director of Centre for Africa Climate Change Adaptation Initiative, UNN, Prof Anthonia Achike, said ACCAI-UNN was established in 2010 to partner with African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS), Kenya, to build trans-disciplinary climate change adaptation capacity at the university.

    Prof Achike said the objective of ACCAI-UNN was to  “build human capacity needed to address climate change adaptation that meets Africa’s unique needs through university-based curricular for conventional postgraduate degrees, and undertaking short  training courses for a wide range of professionals from all sectors.”

    She stated that the centre would also incorporate various communities within African region in execution and implementation of its research findings, and also provide bases for adaptation of international best practices in climate change issues and collaboration with similar or related facilities across the world.

    She expressed belief that the symposium would help boost the research skills of staff and post-graduate students in Climate Change Economics Policy and Innovation (CCEPI) in the university.

  • The effects of rape on our society

    Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving having a carnal knowledge, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person’s consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or against a person who is incapable of valid consent, such as one who is unconscious, incapacitated, or below the legal age of consent. The term rape is, sometimes, used interchangeably with the term sexual assault.

    Internationally, the incidence of rape recorded by the police during 2008 varied between 0.1 in Egypt per 100,000 people and 91.6 per 100,000 people in Lesotho with 4.9 per 100,000 people in Lithuana as the median.

    According to the American Medical Association (1995), sexual violence, and rape in particular, is considered the most under reported violent crime. The rate of reporting, prosecution and convictions for rape varies considerably in different jurisdictions. The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics (1999) estimated that 91percent of U.S. rape victims are female and nine per cent are male.

    Rape by strangers is usually less common than rape by persons the victim knows. Several studies argue that male-male and female-female prison rape are quite common and may be the least reported forms of rape.

    It is most terrifying to note that the frequency of rape incidents today all over the world has doubled or even tripled according to statistics. All over from India to South Africa, Syria and even to Nigeria, the incidences of rape are now so common and it could even be seen in public places.

    One begins to wonder how this generation has quickly lost its forms of moral and societal values despite the multiplicity of religious centres, schools and even breakthroughs recorded in technology and science.

    Rape against the female gender seems to be rampant today. There are reported cases of little children less than one year being raped as well as grandmothers of over 70, also being raped.

    Most petrifying is the fact that some of the rape victims have been killed by the rapists having been assaulted. Some victims have also killed themselves much later due to the pain and stigma associated with the act. It is indeed alarming how this level of wickedness has grown and expanded in our society.

    The advent of the social media has also not helped matters in this regard. On  July22, 2012, Cynthia Osokogwu, a post-graduate student of Nasarawa State University and a clothing retailer, was murdered in Lagos by friends she met on Facebook. The rapists lured her to a hotel in FESTAC Town, drugged and raped her before she was murdered.

    Also, the incident when five undergraduates believed to be students of Abia State University conspired and raped a young woman is as well detestable. Despite the pleadings of the young girl, the young men still took turns to satisfy their devilish lusts on her. The videos of that incident shook the nation as investigation was launched into the incident but nothing seems to have come out of it till date.

    In India, the Delhi gang rape and murder case that occurred on December 16, 2012 in Munrika, a neighbourhood located in the southern part of New Delhi, when a 23-year-old female physiotherapy intern was beaten and gang raped in a private bus in which she was travelling with a male friend. There were six others in the bus, including the driver, all of whom raped the woman. The woman died from her injuries 13 days later while undergoing emergency treatment in Singapore.

    The incident generated widespread national and international coverage and was widely condemned, both in India and abroad. Subsequently, public protests against the Government of India and the Government of Delhi for not providing adequate security for women took place in New Delhi, where thousands of protesters clashed with security forces. Similar protests took place in major cities throughout the country.

    These and a whole lot more sum up the level of decadence bedeviling our society. No one seems safe these days in the hands of rapists. It is up to all of us that make up the society to rise up and root out rape from our midst.

    As it is, everyone has a role to play in the eradication of this menace from our society. From homes to religious gatherings, schools to events, the gospel of anti-rape should be preached with all forms of seriousness and vehemence.

    Enough is enough of this monster that has developed into the biggest crime in our society. Stiffer laws should be created for offenders just like kidnappings and murder, because rape has helped to rob our society some of its best hands.

    From government quarters to private quarters, rape should be given a serious attention before we lose our female population to a group of persons who have lost all forms of dignity. The fight against rape should be total and there should be no sacred cows in the battle against it. All hands must be on deck to ensure that rape is finally expunged from our society.

    Everyone has a role to play in tackling this societal cancer. Lawmakers must create stiffer laws, the Judiciary must dispatch justice with speed to offenders and we all must also be our brothers’ keeper and also report any case of rape to the relevant authorities.

     

    Sam, graduating student of Curriculum and teaching, UNICAL