Sexist monkey misery for Kenyan women villagers

A group of vervet monkeys is giving Kenyan villagers (Particularly women, who are responsible for the crops) long days and sleepless nights, destroying crops and causing a food crisis.

BBC news reports that the local MP Paul Muite, urged the Kenyan Wildlife Service to help contain the aggressive behaviour of the primates. However, Mr Muite drew laughter when he told parliament that the monkeys begun harassing and mocking the women in a village. They estimate the number at 300 monkeys. They invade the farms at dawn and eat the village's maize, potatoes, beans and other crops. Since women are the primary ones responsible for the crops, they bear the responsibility. They claim that the animals fear the young men more then the women and children. The more aggressive monkeys throw stones and chase the women from their farms. They have tried wearing the clothes of men, but that has not worked.

"But the monkeys can tell the difference and they don't run away from us and point at our breasts. They just ignore us and continue to steal the crops."

These monkeys are different, they don't just steal crops, they also make sexually explicit gestures at the women.

"The monkeys grab their breasts, and gesture at us while pointing at their private parts. We are afraid that they will sexually harass us," said Mrs Njeri.

The Kenyan wildlife service says that it is not unusual for monkeys to harass women and be less afraid of them than men, but they had never heard of monkeys in Kenya making sexually explicit gestures. It has gotten so bad that the town is receiving famine relief food. They also report that they have killed livestock and guard dogs, which makes them fear for the children. They were told by the Kenya Wildlife Service not to harm or kill any of the monkeys, as it is a criminal offence. They are harvesting their crops early in an attempt to salvage what they can. But that only made the monkeys to break into their homes and steal the crops out of their granaries. Someone please help them deal with these sexist, crop stealing monkeys!