June 13, (THEWILL) – Nollywood actress, Hilda Dokubo, has stated that the movie industry should not be blamed for cases of domestic violence in the society.
She made this known in an interview with Sunday Scoop. She said, “The portrayals has always been according to the culture being depicted in the movie. We (Nollywood)mirror society and proffer solutions. I don’t think Nollywood is solely responsible for how women are treated.”
She added that religion and culture could not be totally absolved of the blame in cases of domestic violence. She said, “Cultural and religious institutions are the ‘creators’ of gender. They are the ones who say ‘this is male and this is female; that one is superior and that one is inferior’. God never classified men and women that way. Men and women were created equal.
“Tradition and religious leaders need to ensure that everybody is protected, including children. People should not be made vulnerable or exposed to danger because of the things the (religious and traditional) leaders approve. Whatever is approved stays and whatever stays becomes a tradition.”
She was asked if leaving an abusive marriage is the solution to domestic violence, she answered, “It depends on what the abuse is. My first option is not to leave your home. My first option will be speak to the abused or the abuser. That is if the abuse is verbal, financial, psychological or emotional. If that is the case, I will let the abuser understand that the abused can no longer take the abuse. The reason is that some people don’t know that their spouses are being hurt by their actions.
“But if it’s a physical abuse, my advice is that the person should leave the environment completely. The actions of a man who can hit a woman cannot be predicted. Such a person needs mental evaluation.”
