Is there abuse of females in the arts industry?

This is one sensitive topic in the workplace because I know for a fact it happens.

Many a times the victims do not even know ita��s happening or are too shy to act upon it, a�?thanksa�? to the ever judgmental eye of the public.

Why am I writing about this? Two reasons really. The first one being that I have been writing for this publication for two years and I have written about basically everything and this is the first piece that is rather uncomfortable.

So if this was my last piece, I would have promoted the arts the best way I could, teaching, notifying and playing critic. Secondly, being that the story of the girl has to be told for prevention of such things ever happening and maybe for the preservation of consistent participation of girls in the industry.

So here is what happened. Two weeks ago I received a text from a woman in the arts industry who quickly asked me what she should do if she was abused. I have to be honest, my heart skipped a bit.

This was a woman asking a guy. I knew that whatever the case, I would know who the guy was. I was both angry and scared. Angry at whoever did whatever to her, scared because I was not sure how to handle it. I remember asking her if she would like to talk to another woman. I had a few names to suggest. She said she just wanted me to listen and tell her story.

You know in most cases when the word abuse of female artistes is thrown around, the first thing that comes to mind is sexual abuse. This case was no exception, I asked my colleagues in one WhatsApp group and I could tell most of them thought it was sexual. They advised me to meet the girl which I did.

Maybe before I move on to the next part let me take this moment to congratulate our comrade in the arts Jah Prayzah for winning an MTV MAMA. Thata��s historic and a huge milestone. We are proud of you.

Now back to my story, a few weeks back one Pamela Zulu popularly known as Gonyeti accused man of the moment Jah Prayzah of sexually harassing her.

Of note is how she has been labelled and called names, and that whether genuine or false, she will not get her day as she is accusing a darling to many. I even know many females who rubbish her story.

But then again many a times the laws of this country protect females over males. Anyway after I met my source for my story, who I will call Precious, I was relieved when she told me it was not sexual abuse. Our women need to be protected from hyenas in the industry. We need the confidence of parents to send their kids into the arts industry without fear.

Precious was physically and emotionally abused (hit and insulted by a fellow male artist). It is abuse still and the kind of abuse most of our female artistes let pass in the name of protecting their jobs. I was impressed by that she stood up and told her story.

I imagine how many girls have been forced to do things they dona��t want to or think they should do to survive in a grouping. So is there abuse in the arts? I believe just like any Industry ita��s there. What do you think?

Until next time, be safe . . .