There’s a really disturbing practice among the Becheve tribe in Obanliku Local Government Area, Cross River State located in the South-South region of Nigeria.
This practice has been unearthed by Channels TV. In a revealing documentary, the media platform describes the area as mountainous and beautiful. However, on arrival to the other side of the mountain, the camera crew would find that there is nothing beautiful about the region’s practices – one of which is described as ‘Money Woman’.
‘Money Woman’ is a practice where women, female children and even unborn female children are promised to the creditor in exchange for a loan and in settlement of a debt. This loan varies and could be as low as N2000 while in some cases, it isn’t monetary, but could be in form of food items such as goats, yams, pigs etc.
Upon delivery of the girls, should her husband die, she is transferred to the next of kin.
In situations where she hasn’t bore any children for her husband or his next of kin, her father would have to provide another girl for a more ‘suitable’ marriage. Where the girl promised isn’t born yet, she becomes transferrable a few years later after birth.
It is rather disturbing that practices of this kind are still occuring in the 21st century. We’re hoping to see a turn around soon as we continue to reveal these inhumane practices ensuring that they become obsolete and the offenders punished. We have to uphold our human rights, it is our most basic duty.
Watch the documentary about the practice below:
Photo Credit: Boston.com
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