Veteran actress Ego Boyo reveals that she is not surprised by the wave of sexual harassment accusations currently shaking the Nigerian film industry. The screen diva turned producer who has graced many a television screen in her time said that issues like this have always been prevalent in Nollywood.
In an interview with Channels TV earlier today, Boyo said, “I am not surprised because there have been whispers and rumours going around for many years. Young people have come out and actually made accusations in the past. Some of them were ignored”.
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According to Boyo, the conversation around the “increasing number of rape and sexual assault and harassment cases in the country has generated a ripple effect; it is affecting a lot of industries and Nollywood is one of those industries affected.
She called the situation unfortunate because some of the men accused were people who had thrown their voices behind the movement before being called out.
Blacklisting a thing of the past?
Boyo then revealed that is was not a surprise to her because it has been going on for years. However, as an industry insider, the producer said blacklisting actors who refused to give up sexual favours is a thing of the past.
“The way it is at the moment, it is impossible. That was something that happened in the past. Right now, there are a lot of directors and produces doing their own thing; other people would still be willing to work with you. That threat is only effective for young women who are not aware of the current structure of the industry.”
The solution
With so much unmasking of predators going on in the industry at the moment, she belivees now is the time to chart a new course for Nollywood and protect vulnerable members.
Boyo said, “What the industry must do is set up a code of conduct going forward; to govern how young women are treated. So that they are not exposed to these kinds of things; so that the conduct of the people within our different guilds is scrutinized. We have had conversations about this”.
She continued, “The young men and women coming into the industry need to know that there is no way that this sort of behaviour is acceptable and that they can report.”
“They cannot allow their voices to be silenced. If they ever experience this, there has to be a way that they can report this. We need to put the information out there. And we have to support those that come forward to ensure that it does not continue to go on.
“I think the code of conduct, town hall meetings, and continuous conversations about it; these are the only ways forward from this. Then the guilds setting in place clear guidelines going forward.”
Boyo also suggested prosecution of the accused. She said, “We then of course have to ensure there is enforcement within the law; police and the domestic violence and assault divisions that are set up by the governments of different communities and states.”
