Is womanhood respected in Nigeria’s entertainment industry?
According to Wikipedia, nudity refers to a state of being in which a human is not wearing clothing or specifically covering the genitals. In social terms, nudity is also defined as not covering body parts that are deemed sexual such as the buttocks and the female breasts. Daily Trust on Sunday takes a look at […]
According to Wikipedia, nudity refers to a state of being in which a human is not wearing clothing or specifically covering the genitals. In social terms, nudity is also defined as not covering body parts that are deemed sexual such as the buttocks and the female breasts. Daily Trust on Sunday takes a look at why nudity is predominant amongst the female gender in the entertainment industry and how the growing trend puts women at a disadvantaged position.
“There are no women shaking their bum bum in this music video, who go watch am” That was a question asked by an undergraduate while watching a music channel. Nudity and derogatory remarks concerning women are today believed to be key in making a breakthrough in the entertainment industry.
In some countries, social nudity is not considered an issue because it somewhat speaks on body and image positivity. Studies have shown that nudity-based interventions are helpful for those who view their body image in a negative way. For example, plus-sized ladies who do not feel comfortable wearing skimpy clothes are praised and encouraged when they take on the challenge of wearing skimpy clothes.
The media is an important tool and what is displayed on it can affect people’s way of life. In most countries, the entertainment industry holds sway as it is the most patronized. When people are glued to their screens and all they can see is nudity, they begin to get accustomed to it and it becomes a norm.
Some years ago in Nigeria, a girl could hardly walk on the streets in shorts or micro mini for fear of being slut shamed. Nowadays, it has become a norm for young girls to wear all sorts of skimpy clothing without fear in the name evolving with time.
Although most of the women on TV are paid to show off their bodies, it’s barely ever the same for men. The social norms have been applied differently when it comes to men as it is somehow regarded as public disturbance if a man appears nude in public or on the screen.
In most music videos, the men are fully clothed or at most with a bare chest surrounded by different women who are dressed half naked; and for some reasons, it is considered attractive for the women to appear in skimpy clothes while the men are dressed appropriately. It is even shocking to describe people who appear fully dressed as boring or stuck up.
The entertainment industry depends on some form of sexual appeal to gain viewership and followership. It is believed that videos gain more popularity and attention once nudity is showcased. Although common in the western world, it is a trend the Nigerian entertainment industry has fully embraced. Beside video vixens who are paid to show off their bodies in music videos, actresses and female musicians do not hesitate to also show off their bodies in their music videos and films. Very few female Nigerian entertainer do not play to the sentiment of nudity.
The cliché “Use what you have to get what you want” has been misinterpreted by a lot of people who only relate the cliché with the female anatomy. Studies of the human body have shown that men are moved by what they see than what they hear. Therefore, many women believe that sexual appeal is their greatest weapon to lure any man, for a price of course.
A video vixen who wishes to remain anonymous told Daily Trust on Sunday that being nude on screen was not a big deal as people now see it as the norm. “What’s the difference between going to the beach and seeing people walk around in their swimwear or going to cities where carnivals are being held and people wear ‘the barest minimum’? I think it’s time for people to understand that Nigeria is slowly adopting the ways of the western world.”
A university graduate Precious Chukwuka sees nothing wrong with girls who decide to go half naked on TV. “People have the right to do as they please with their bodies. If they feel comfortable with what they’re doing, it shouldn’t pose a problem to others.”
Francis Ugonna, a male student, says “Who are we to blame the girls who decide to show off their bodies for a price or the people who sit in front of their screens and praise them for their audacity? Believe me when I say there’s enough blame to go round.”
According to the National Broadcasting Commission, morality and social values clause under broadcasting standards clearly states that; “A broadcaster shall ensure that the portrayal of nudity, sexual scenes and expressions is justifiable only in context; however, it shall be presented with tact and due discretion.” And under the women clause, it states that “A broadcaster shall ensure that womanhood is presented with respect and dignity, women are not portrayed unfairly as sex objects or stereotyped.”
The film censors committee of the National Film and Video Censorship Board stated in one of the acts that it shall not approve a film which in its opinion depicts any matter which is indecent, obscene or likely to be injurious to morality. It is safe to say that both boards have failed in regulating these laws as half of what trends on the big screen now is nudity.
Sometime last year, famous music legend, Onyeka Onwenu appealed to female Nigerian musicians to stop the bum bum shaking. She said, “Women are worth more than shaking their bumbum. Enough of the bumbum. Though, everyone is free to be creative, but just know that yours will not last while the other person with meaningful lyrics will remain evergreen”
Mrs Grace Edak who commented on the issue said “I can never allow my child to appear in such an immoral way and worst of all, on the TV for the viewing pleasure of others. Asides just showing off their bodies in the videos, you’d often see these male artists touching the women in very indecent ways, some slapping their buttocks or putting their faces near it.”
Another parent Mrs Mariam Ibrahim revealed that for fear of exposing her children to such corrupt images, she doesn’t allow them to watch the movies and music channels. She, however, noted that “Even with all the restrictions, how far can you protect their minds from being damaged? These things are also all over the internet.
“As Nigerians, we are deeply rooted in certain ideologies such as the issue of religion and morality. This ugly trend clearly shows that so many people have lost their sense of morality,” she added.
Ms Maria Usen, adding her voice on the issue, said “Sometimes, when I see these girls on the Tv, I feel sad for them because both our culture and religion are against it. We have both religious and cultural standards which abhor such exposure. We are clearly told that a woman’s body is sacred and therefore should be respected.”
Miss Funke Layeni, who describes herself as a feminist, told Daily Trust on Sunday that although social nudity was considered a form of liberation for some women, it still had a damaging effect on a larger percentage of women.
“Some women have used nudity as a form of liberation and to show solidarity for women who had been rape or sexually assaulted. However, we must also understand that when people decide to make choices, even though you choose to be selfish, sometimes you need to look at the bigger picture.
“If a woman believes that dressing partially naked is her right to protest for body positivity, she’s free to do so. But she must also understand how that decision will foster more expectations from other women.
“We must understand that once a lady begins to idolise herself as a sex object, it doesn’t take men anything to consider that all women should behave the same and that breeds disrespect for women. Let’s be honest, we’ve never seen men use nudity as a form of liberation for any of their causes, so why do people use feminism as an excuse to shade female nudity? Nudity doesn’t empower you as a woman, rather it sexualises you.”