Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Anambra State Government has issued a stern warning to residents of the state, urging them to shun all forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) or face the full wrath of the law.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Ify Obinabo, gave the warning on Thursday, during a street rally in commemoration of 16 Days Activism against gender-based violence in the State.
The rally was organised by Anambra Multi-stakeholders Action Committee on Prevention of Gender-based Violence (MAP-GBV), Ministry of Women Affairs, in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria and other partners.
Ikengaonline reports that the partners also comprising NYSC, NAPTIP, and FRSC, marched from Arroma junction through Nkwo Amaenyi market, to Eke Awka and UNIZIK junction educating the public on the need to abstain from GBV.
During the march, Obinabo emphasised that the state government would no longer tolerate any form of GBV, including domestic violence, rape, and child abuse, and that perpetrators would be prosecuted and punished accordingly.
According to the Commissioner, “Anambra State Government is committed to ensuring that our women and children live in a safe and secure environment, free from all forms of violence and abuse. We urge everyone to join hands with us in this fight against GBV,” she said.
Continuing, she said: “We must Unite to End Gender-Based Violence in Anambra State. Any person found to have engaged in rape or other violence against women and girl child must face life imprisonment. Same thing is applicable to women who abuse the male.
“This remains a powerful call for all to create a safer, more inclusive society. Our 16 Days of Activism Against GBV is a global campaign aimed at raising awareness and inspiring action to eliminate violence against women and girls.
“Anambra State remains resolute in its commitment to this cause. We are determined to make Anambra State a GBV-free zone, and we will stop at nothing to achieve this goal,” she said.
State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, Obinna Maduforo, said 95 percent of the cases reported daily to his office are gender-based, noting that women have a higher percentage of such reports.
“There is an upsurge in gender-based violence in the society. The cases that are reported are far less than the ones that are unreported. It has been going on unchecked in society.
“Awareness rallies like this are important because it is through it that people, particularly the female gender, know they can report their rights violations,” he said.
“The programme is a yearly event that starts from November 25 to December 10, which is the human rights day,” he added.
Moslem chairman of GBV in Anambra Al-Imam Sheriff, commended the state government for taking the lead in the campaign for the elimination of GBV in the state.
He said the whole essence was for people to know that they can report violations of their rights anywhere anytime as well as get justice.
