Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Enugu State chapter, on Thursday, protested against the incessant incidences of rape reported in various parts of the country.
In a peaceful protest to the Government House, Enugu, tagged ” Stop Rape Walk”, the group urged the state government to create emergency hotline for rape and strict measures against rape perpetrators.
The aggrieved women journalists, who dressed in black carrying placards with the inscriptions “Rape is inhuman , rape is evil,” and so on, walked down to the Government House where they took their protest to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Speaking , the State Chairperson of NAWOJ, Comrade Chinyere Mgbo, expressed sadness over the issues of rape being reported in the country, the sexual abuse of both the minor, the old and the young.
She condemned the act describing it as inhumane, barbaric, torture against the victim. She said that rape is a criminal act and urged the state government “to initiate proactive measures to curtail the rate of rape in the state.”
Comrade Mgbo also expressed sadness that some people attributed causes of rape to “indecent dressing”, calling for collaboration from the state government and more sensitisation of Women against indecent dressing. Mrs Mgbo said that it has become necessary for such. She added that NAWOJ would carry the campaign against indecent dressing to schools.
According to her such sensitisation will help women believe in decent dressing,. “They will believe that there is decency , you do not need to go mad. If that is achieved, we would have made an impact as regards rape. ”
Speaking on lack of support from the womenfolk, Comrade Mgbo expressed dismay at the attitude of some women in government who do not show interest in the course of the women.
She said that ” a lot of women in government do not pick their calls, they do not return their calls, they do not return their test messages, when they’re called on phone for one assistant or the other.
She acknowledged the support NAWOJ received from the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo, the Chairman of Udi local government area, Ifeanyi Agu, the chairman of Aninri local government area, Hon Ezekiel Chukwu and BBI.
Responding, Ugwuanyi , who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Professor Malachy Okwueze, assured the NAWOJ members that “Government will see that this menace is curbed. ”
On the issue of dressing, he said, “Our government does not believe that anybody has any reason to rape. We cannot accept it as an excuse “.
The Deputy Chief of Staff assured NAWOJ of the state government’s support to the programmes of the group.
“If you think there is something we can do as a group, in a school to help our children grow, we will do it. We are ready to partner with you. We will engage the Ministry of Women Affairs, ” he said.
Professor Okwueze thanked NAWOJ for the peaceful protest, saying that ,” it is a signal that this is not acceptable .We have fathers, we have nephews who may be doing it”.
He urged NAWOJ to engage the church in its advocacy campaign against rape.
