A nongovernmental organization, Enough Campaign has organized a One-Day sensitization for market women, religious leaders, youth, and ward heads in Taraba State, North-East Nigeria.
The event took place at Nuj Press Center Jalingo, the state capital with the Vice President of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Zone ‘E’, Comrade Dorcas Philemon as the guest speaker.
During her presentation on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the NAWOJ Zonal VP, Dorcas Philemon who spoke extensively said that domestic violence can happen to a girl, woman, boy child, or even a married woman in different forms.
According to her, even though the GBV against women and girls is one of the prevalent human rights violations the world over but the most disturbing aspect here in Nigeria is the issue of rape, which she said is on the increase.
She cited many examples of such acts that happened recently within Taraba state and other states in the country, therefore, she solicited for all hands to be on deck in fighting the menace, and called on governments at all levels to empower women as well as the provision of additional of more helplines for the general public.
“One of our major problems as mothers is that we suppose to be the voices of our children but when such things happen we are always been the ones to stop it from revealing to the relevant authorities for justice to take its course.
“Because there is this culture of silence that if we make it public, our daughter will not get a husband or it will a shame to the family which is not supposed to be so, therefore, it is imperative for us as a society to play our roles in dealing with this menace, and parents should know that if such incident happens they should first call the police not going to court, the court should be the last where the perpetrator will be jailed if found guilty.” Comrade Philemon emphasized.
Maiunguwa Dayyabu Musa, attributed the issue of raping minors both girls and boys to the influence of herbalists that such perpetrators are connected within the name of getting worldly things or powers, while Pastor Clement Daniel believed that improper dressing by women and lack proper monitoring of children by parents are some of the major factors that are responsible for such ungodly acts and all of them called on the society to intensify prayers for God’s intervention.
In their contributions, the President of Taraba State Market Women Association, Margaret Mustapha said the only way out is for both Christians and Muslims will be talking of God and put aside the issue of religion, tribalism, and ethnicity, the issue of banditry, kidnapping, and rape will be eradicated, while Salomi Umar was optimistic that the issue of rape by some men is the work of a spirit which needs intensive prayers by both Muslims and Christians.
On her part, the Taraba State Chairperson of League of Women Voters, Saudatu Hadi advised that anybody found guilty of a rape case should be castigated.
Earlier in her opening remarks, convener of the event, Comrade Victoria Roland explained that Enough Campaign is an organization that is out to create awareness in society concerning ways of life, how one can live a better life and avoid the thing that can ban avoided in life, therefore, it looks at the burning issue world over which is “Gender-Based Violence” and employed volunteers across Nigeria and carrying out the campaign against it.
“For Enough Campaign, they are advocating for every individual as a person to know that if something happens to you it hurts you that is the same way it hurts the other person, so if you do not want to be hurt, please do not hurt another person. That is the campaign of Enough Campaign as an organization. It is all about being able to talk one on one to each other.” Roland revealed.
SanI Suleiman/ Jalingo