Nigerian actor Deyemi Okanlawon has come to the defence of singer Simi after she faced backlash over tweets she posted in 2012 that resurfaced online.
Following Simi’s clarification of her past posts, Okanlawon urged critics to focus on the more pressing issue of sexual violence against women instead of creating distractions.
He emphasized that when women speak out against abuse, the appropriate response should be unwavering support. Introducing unrelated topics such as male victims or false allegations diverts attention from the core issue of protecting women.
Okanlawon stressed that these other concerns are valid but should be discussed separately, while the primary focus must remain on preventing abuse against women.
He wrote: “When women say ‘STOP rapng women’… Your response cannot be ‘what about men/children’ or ‘what about false accusers.’ Your reply MUST be YES! You can start another conversation about other issues at a different time and place.”
The actor also highlighted the role of men in holding each other accountable, alongside the collective responsibility of society to challenge harmful norms and reduce stigma for survivors. He pointed out the need for better education on consent and reforms in judicial systems to ensure justice is served.
He added: “Men MUST hold other men accountable… Together, we should hold all abusers of children, women, and men accountable, fix judicial systems, dismantle harmful norms, eliminate victim stigma, and educate on consent. Ending sexual violence starts with culture, not just laws #fromavictim.”
Describing the controversy as a chance for learning, Okanlawon called for empathy and thoughtful responses when dealing with sensitive topics.
“This is a huge opportunity for all of us to learn and teach… let’s approach it with wisdom and empathy!”
See post below: