Violence
Enugu, Sep. 10, 2018 (NAN) The Coordinator of the Coalition of South East Non Governmental Organisations (CENGOS), Mrs Nkiru Nwobodo has decried the rising cases of gender based violence in the country.
Nwobodo said this in Enugu on Monday during a one day media roundtable on Gender Based Violence and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights.
The coordinator said that interaction with community, religious and other stakeholders confirmed the situation.
“Our meetings with traditional rulers, the clergy as well as security outfits show that especially, more wives, girls and children have become victims of rape, battering and other forms of violence,” she said.
Nwobodo called on the media to create more awareness on the harmful psychological and physiological effect on the victims with a view to eradicating the practice.
Also speaking, the Regional Team Leader of Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn, Mrs Ifeoma Chukwuma said that gender based violence was everywhere.
Chukwuma called for sustainable public awareness by the media as anybody could be a victim.
“What is more disturbing is that cases of defilement have become more visible, maybe, due to awareness and the social media,” she said.
She expressed optimism that with sustained commitment by the media and greater social responsibility by members of the public, the scourge would be reduced.
A veteran journalist, Mrs Edith Nwanguma urged governments at all levels, traditional and religious leaders, the media as well as NGOs to work closely and reduce the harmful practice. (NAN)
AOE/SEYI/MNA
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu