The Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) yesterday urged governments and the judiciary to enforce legislative provisions and penalties against rape and other acts of violence against women and the girl-child.
The call followed reported cases of violence against women and children in different states in the past one week.
The incidents included the rape and gruesome murder of a 22-year-old Microbiology student of University of Benin, Vera Uwaila Omozuwa; the killing of Tina Ezekwe allegedly by a trigger happy policeman in Lagos and the rape of a 12-year-old girl by 11 men in Jigawa State.
In a statement, CCSI Executive Director Mrs. Babafunke Fagbemi urged the authorities to be more deliberate in protecting women and girls.
Fagbemi added that the world of women and girls keep shrinking as sexual and domestic violence continue to affect their ability to enjoy rights and freedoms on a basis of equality with men. This in turn have debilitating effects on their mental and physical health, which also limits how they compete fairly and contribute to a better society.
“Nigeria needs her women and girls and must defend and protect them from the hands of predators,” Fagbemi said stressing that to make women and the girl child feel safe and confident to lead equal life as their male counterparts, justice must be served against perpetrators of crimes against women to serve as deterrent to other intending perpetrators.
She commended the Edo State Government, the Inspector-General of Police for swinging into action and urged the public to continue to demand for a thorough investigation and application of the full weight of the law against the perpetrators.
“We sincerely commiserate with the families of the victims and CCSI will continue to play a key role in the enlightenment of Nigerians against sexual and domestic violence,” Fagbemi added.
the nation
0 Comments