SOME ORGANIZATIONS TEAM UP TO FIGHT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN IMO

Residents of Imo State have been urged to always report cases of violence against women and children to help reduce the incidence in the area.

Programme Manager of a nongovernmental organization, Mrs. Blessing Duru, made the call in Owerri while briefing journalists on efforts to end rape, child molestation, child trafficking and harmful cultural practices in Imo State.

Mrs. Duru said a multi agency committee comprising the Police, FIDA, National Orientation Agency, National Human Rights Commission and State Ministry of Gender Affairs and Social Development had been inaugurated to check all forms of violence against women and girls.

She explained that a legal framework would soon be put in place to strengthen the fight, noting that the media was strategic in winning the war.

A representative of the State Ministry of Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Blessing Azubuike, said two persons were recently convicted for defilement with others still undergoing prosecution in the state.

She identified Imo as one of the states with increasing cases of violence against the female gender and called for adequate sensitization by faith based organizations, government and traditional institutions to end the scourge.

CHINAZO ILECHUKWU