{
  "id": 15949396,
  "title": "We taught women to fear rape, but did we teach men not to rape?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/we-taught-women-to-fear-rape-but-did-we-teach-men-not-to-rape",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T20:28:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/we-taught-women-to-fear-rape-but-did-we-teach-men-not-to-rape/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2019, remarks attributed to Daniel Nortey sparked a discussion about the societal attitudes surrounding sexual violence. A woman in her 40s questioned why people seemed to accept the notion that rape is normal, asking whether such ideas are common in our upbringing and community conversations. Many individuals grew up with statements like \"a woman will say no until you force yourself on her,\" either jokingly or with confidence. This attitude remained unchecked as it was often laughed off or dismissed as typical behavior.\n\nThe source highlights that societal messaging focused heavily on teaching girls how to avoid being raped, rather than instructing boys about not raping. Girls were advised to dress modestly, avoid certain locations, limit drinking, and watch their surroundings. When a woman was sexually assaulted, questions often focused on her behavior, attire, and choices. The source argues that this shifts the blame from the perpetrator to the victim, creating a culture where women bear the responsibility for men's actions.\n\nThe conversation must shift to teaching boys about respect and boundaries. While girls were warned about personal safety, boys were not consistently educated about consent, respect, and the importance of not forcing sexual advances. The source urges us to examine the attitudes we cultivate in our sons, such as viewing rejection as humiliation, believing persistence equals love, and associating sexual conquest with masculinity. These beliefs must be challenged, and boys must understand that rejection is not an affront and that a woman's body is not theirs to claim.\n\nThe source calls for a change in how we approach sexual consent and respect. It emphasizes that submission should mean respecting a person's autonomy, not surrendering bodily rights. Marriage should not negate a woman's right to refuse sex, and love should not entail enduring sexual pressure. Men must learn that their needs and desires do not supersede a woman's consent. By addressing these issues, we can foster healthy relationships and break down harmful societal norms that perpetuate sexual violence.",
  "summary": "I am here as a woman in her 40s, asking myself a question that has been on my mind since I came across the comments attributed to Daniel Nortey: “ Why are we behaving as if it is not normal to rape someone? Which man hasn't raped a lady before?”",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}