Emem Thomas employs women of a certain weight and shape to her Dragon Squad security team, creating a safe space for plus-size women to excel in a traditionally male-dominated field.
"People expect us to be in the kitchen or probably doing make-up and other feminine roles, but joining this squad has really enlightened me," said 23-year-old bouncer Peace Vigorous, the youngest of the crew.The risk of being molested on the job is "always something we have in mind", said Thomas.Dragon Squad members guard newly crowned king Obong Ibanga Ikpe at his coronation ceremony.
"Face the crowd and be yourself," Thomas tells them when they falter. "You are supposed to be seen and known." Thomas's new-found confidence has transformed her social and family life in the city of Uyo, where the 37-year-old lives with her two children.The Dragon Squad has also led her to advocate for the rights of girls and women.Gender violence is rife in Nigeria, which has one of the world's highest rates of sexual assault.
Jihadist groups in the north are renowned for kidnapping girls and women and trafficking them into sex work and forced labour. For Thomas, change comes with "breaking the barrier" to show what women bring to all sectors of society.She believes female bouncers "have a way of taking off danger" by listening to troublemakers and victims in a way that most men do not have patience for.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Paul Merson: ‘I was at the Brit Awards and asked Kylie Minogue out. She said no’The football pundit on his very expensive suit, fighting addiction and why he owes Walsall fans an apology
Read more »
Van Gogh the one-eared rescue dog paints his way to a new homeA seven-year-old boxer mix saved from a dog-fighting ring became an in-demand celebrity after online auction of his ‘masterpieces’
Read more »
Cause of Adelaide Hills bushfire investigated as injured firies recoverTwo firefighters are recovering after being injured fighting a blaze in the Adelaide Hills in extreme conditions yesterday.
Read more »
Missouri is all for the right to bear arms – but the right to bare arms is up for debate | Arwa MahdawiThe Republican-controlled state house decided to debate what sort of clothes female legislators should wear, to the dismay of Missouri Democrats
Read more »
'I'm gonna miss you guys big time': Tomljanović makes 'tough decision' to pull out of the Australian OpenAustralia's top female player announces she will pull out of the Australian Open, as she battles an ongoing knee injury.
Read more »
Russian forces claim they've taken Soledar after weeks of fierce fightingRussia claimed that its forces captured a fiercely contested salt mining town, in what would mark a rare victory for the Kremlin but Ukrainian authorities said the fight for Soledar continues.
Read more »