As the 16 days of activism against gender-based violences ended recently, wife of Abia state governor joined others in advocating stiffer penalties against offenders. SAM OBINNA reports.
Abia state governor’s wife Deaconess Nkechi IKpeazu has condemned all gender-based violences in Nigeria, noting that it is a cankerworm which has eaten deep into the fabrics of today’s societies.Deaconess Ikpeazu, who noted that there is spate of gender-based violence in the country especially on women and girls, stressed the need to eradicate the scourge.
Speaking during a press conference held recently in Umuahia on the 16 days of activism against gender- based violence, an International campaign to challenge violence against women and girls held at Vicar Hope Foundation, Umuahia, Mrs IKpeazu noted that they were addressing the menace as a coalition of NGOs and civil society groups working in the GBV space including FIDA, NCWS, and the Ministry of Women Affairs.
According to her, the event is holding in line with the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls.
Blueprint gathered that the theme for this year is ‘Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands Against Rape’.
The 16 days of activism began from November 25 which is the International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women and ended on December 10 which was the International Human Rights Day. Globally, every organisation that operates in the human rights space undertakes one action or the other to highlight the period. Violence against Women and girls is a problem of pandemic proportions. At least, one out of every three women around the world has been abused, beaten, coerced into sex, mutilated and in some extreme cases killed.”It is a sad reality that on a daily basis, women and girls around the world are still experiencing harassment and violence of all forms and types. Despite all the long years of chanting for gender equality, women and girls are still being raped and battered and girls are still mutilated and married off as children,” Mrs IKpeazu cried out. Although gender-based violence is a phenomenon deeply rooted in gender inequality. It has been found out that both men and women experience it, but with the current statistics, it is obvious that women and girls are the major victims. It is a violation of the fundamental human rights of women and girls. This is in the form of violence against women and girls like rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment, female genital mutilation, dowry-related abuse, marriage by abduction, forced marriage, and child marriage.
Generally, violence against women and girls often impair their productivity by reducing their contributions to the social, economic and political development of their families and communities. The psychological effect of GBV has continually left imprints on the minds of the victims making them live beneath their potentials.
A worrisome trend
Focusing on the theme of the year, rape is rooted in a complex set of beliefs, power and control that continue to create a social environment in which sexual violence is pervasive and normalised.
Mrs IKpeazu said, “It is no longer news that in recent events, the cases of rape has been on the hike. It is no longer the case of men raping women; rather, the trend in recent times is that older males now rape under-aged girls as young as nine months old.”
It is on record that about 154 countries around the world have laws against sexual harassment, but even where these laws exist, women and girls from all walks of life still face sexual harassment every day. For example, statistics show that 15 million adolescent girls worldwide have experienced forced sex at some points in their life, unfortunately only 1% of these numbers have reached out for professional help.
The reason women and girls are less likely to report sexual abuses are rejection, victim-blaming and stigmatisation. In recent times, more survivors have tried to speak up which has put this issue of sexual violence in the spotlight but the question still remains whether the fact that victims have spoken up solved have solved the issue. Certainly, the society needs to take the actions to the next level.
Need for stiffer penalties
Speaking further she said, “Today, we are convinced that there is still a lot to be done beyond the chants; we need to revise our laws, domesticate where necessary and strengthen its enforcement.
“Recall that last year, under the auspices of the Vicar Hope Foundation, I led a large coalition of civil society groups including NCWS, FIDA and many more to the Abia State House of Assembly to ask the House to give accelerated hearing and passage to the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law. Over the past several months, I have sustained that action alongside my partners in the Ministry of Women Affairs, FIDA, NCWS, and other women organisations.
“Today, I am happy that the proactive 7th Assembly is seriously working on the bill with a view to giving it a speedy passage. It is also pertinent to note that for several years, the efforts to pass the bill have been on snail slow speed until this coalition of civil society organisations came together, joined forces and also met a willing House of Assembly that puts the people first.
“I use this medium to appreciate the 7th Assembly led by Rt Hon Chinedum Orji for responding to our call and moving swiftly in response to fulfilling the need. This shows that the House of Assembly is committed to the protection of the lives and rights of the people of Abia state and we as a coalition would continue to throw our unreserved support behind these legislative processes and our legislators.
“Therefore, to support this effort as Vicar Hope Foundation, we are announcing a Gender-Based Violence Response Desk to complement efforts by partners and support groups. This desk would create referral pathways for reporting, counseling and managing GBV cases.
“Before I end, I want to call on members of the fourth estate of the realm to join in the struggle to address gender-based violence. We need to put out issues of gender-based violence in the public space so that it can be seen in the right perspective. In addition, GBV demands responsible reportage. We need to tell stories of abuse correctly and appropriately. “Finally, this year’s theme suggests we all have to come together, men and women, to raise consciousness and conversations to end all forms of gender-based violence. We are conscious to note that GBV is faced by men and women and that is why we are raising a community of bystanders, men, and women who may not be directly affected by abuse but are not silent about it,” she said.
