Women activists want violated women to speak out
NAN-HG-6
Women
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, Nov. 25, 2016 (NAN) The President, African Women Lawyers Association Nigeria (AWLAN) Abuja branch, Mrs Olanike Bakrin, on Friday called on women who have been violated or sexually abused to speak out to avoid suffering in silence.
Bakrin said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of violence against Women.
She said women undergoing any form of violence should open up in spite of the intimidation or threat from their aggressors.
According to her, violence has a significant impact on the health and well being of women in the immediate and long term, hence the need to alert the appropriate authorities for action.
“The long term health impacts of such act include gastro- intestinal disorders associated with stress, headaches, back pains, anxiety, depression and high blood pressure.
“Anyone experiencing any form of violence should speak out, because you can be assisted when you call for help, but if you keep quiet, such violent conduct will continue,’’ Bakrin said.
She said the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP 2015), constituted all forms of violence in private and public life and prohibits the different types of violence.
Bakrin said the law covers physical, sexual, psychological, domestic, harmful traditional practices and discrimination against persons.
She said it provides maximum protection and effective remedies for offenders with commensurate offences committed.
Bakrin said the day would be celebrated globally for 16 days of activism against Gender-based violence campaign, from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10th.
The theme, ‘Strengthening the Nigerian legal framework for effective prosecution of gender based violence’` is aimed to bring together various stakeholders and members together to discuss on way forward.
The President of Partnership for Rural Women Development in Nigeria, Hajiya Zainab Mohammed, who also spoke, said there was need for more awareness of the VAPP bill among women as many are dying ignorantly.
She said that the psychological consequences could be as serious as the physical effects, adding that immediate health impact may include physical injuries, miscarriages, hearing or vision loss.
Mohammed advised victims should always call appropriate authorities when neighbours and children are in danger.
“As neighbours at home, there may be many reasons you can suspect violence act, you may have heard noises which have alarmed you, incidents or injuries which have caused your suspicion.
“Therefore, the Nigerian Police, Religious institutions like mosques, churches, and traditional rulers should create an enabling environment to help and intervene in matters regarding women who are oppressed in their communities,’’ Mohammed said.
She said the law had boost the confidence of the citizens to seek help against all forms of violence regardless of sex, age, culture tribe or religion, adding that more still needs to be done.
The Coordinator , Change Managers International Network (CMI), an NGO Mrs Nendi Ohah. said the women and girls are particularly vulnerable in situations of conflict and emergency, when violence, extortion, trafficking, exploitation and many forms of gender-based violence escalate.
She added that most victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation are women and girls, adding that all hands must be on deck to put an end to violation of women. (NAN)
(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)