…Demand That Names Of Culprits Be Published
Worried by the hike in the number of rape cases, Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Protect the Girl Child Initiative, Mater Dei Girls Center Initiative, and Niger Delta Students Union, have called on Government at all levels to ensure that punishment of rape offenders are stiff enough to serve as deterrent for others.
They made this known during a joint press conference held by the organizations.
They also said that declaring a state of emergency on the incessant killings, sexual molestation of women and children across the federation will to a large extent reduce the menace.
Condemning rape especially rape of the under aged, the chairperson of NAWOJ in Rivers State, Mrs Lilian Okonkwo Ogabu, maintained that rape contravenes the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act of the National Assembly maintaining that like every other law, violators should be made to face the music.
The Chairperson of FIDA, Bar. Ngozi Ighosevbe, told newsmen in Port Harcourt that the evil act ravaging lives of young women and children both boys and girls in the communities should be tackled with more holistic and aggressive approach.
She called on the Chief Judge of the state to designate a special fast track court to handle Gender Based violence matters in the state.
Also speaking, the President Medical Women Association of Nigeria Rivers state chapter Dr. Vetty Agala identified some health implications of rape as unwanted pregnancy, infection of HIV/AIDS, complications during and after pregnancy, losing of self esteem, psychological effects and advocated for death penalty for offenders.
On her part, Mrs Inie Fubara, Senior Special Assistant Office of the Deputy Governor of Rivers state, and Coordinator Protect the Girls Right Initiative, expressed worry over the rate of increase in rape cases regretting that most times victims apart from their emotions are murdered.
Mrs. Fubara who maintained that perpetrators deserve stiffer penalties like publicizing their names after being convicted, observed the need to re-orient parents and care givers to support and for victims instead of stigmatizing them.
Meanwhile, the groups embarked on a peaceful protest march to the Police Headquarters to appeal to the Commissioner of Police to as a matter of urgency address their concerns and stem the tide.
Receiving them, the Commissioner of Police in the State, Joseph Mukan assured them that their concerns will be given adequate attention as the has put proactive measures in place.
He disclosed that in line with the directives of Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu NPM, mni Gender Desks have been created in all Police formations across the Command to tackle the menace.
The CP who appealed to Parents and Guardians to increase their security consciousness, monitor the movements and activities of their children, and damn the consequences of social stigmatization also promised to deal with officers that may wish to compromise the process and compound felonies.
