STIFFER PUNISHMENTS TO PERPETRATORS OF RAPE –NAWOJ ANAMBRA STATE

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Anambra State chapter has called for stiffer punishments to perpetrators of sexual abuse and assault in the country.  The State Chairman  of NAWOJ, Comrade Stella Igboka who made the call during a peaceful protest in Awka to mark its seven day Nationwide Campaign against rape and violence against women said the association would not relent  in seeking justice for victims of  sexual violence.

The women who came out in their number carried placard with various inscriptions such as rape is a life time trauma, stop sexual assault and women are not sex toys. The leader of the group and nawoj chairperson Anambra State  Comrade Stella Igboka who decried the rising cases of rape and sexual assault in the state and the country in general, stressed the need for efforts  stakeholders  to come together to curb the trend.

She called on the police to ensure that the perpetrators of the evil act were brought to book. The speaker, Anambra state House of Assembly, Mr Uche Okafor, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Dr. Pascal Agbodike gave an assurance that the state Assembly would make laws that would protect the right of the women and girl children. The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, Mr John Abang called for a synergy between NAWOJ and the police in curbing the menace.

Mr Abang   said the only problem  encountered by the police with victims of rape was that some families compromised in the course of investigation.    The National Treasurer of  NAWOJ, Comrade Ify Obi stressed the need for parents to equip their children with self defence strategies to protect themselves against rape. Former Chairperson NUJ, ABS chapel and member of NAWOJ, Comrade Ngozi Obileri called on other NGOs to support women to eliminate rape in the society.     

PAMELA IGWE