In continuation of the 16 Days Activism against Gender Based Violence across the globe, the Gender Based Violence Committee in Akwa Ibom State led by the wife of the Governor, Her Excellency Dr. (Mrs.) Martha Udom Emmanuel arrived Esit Eket, Ibeno, Eket and ONNA Local Government Areas of the State for a Town hall meeting with the Stakeholders and Community leaders.
The Theme of the campaign: "Orange the World, End Violence against Women Now!” held at the Local Government Council Hall at Esit Eket and Eket Local Government Area respectively.
Dr. Emmanuel on behalf of members of the committee stated that gender based violence is a crime against humanity and must not be condoned by any strata of the society, asserting that the reason for this town Hall meeting is to sensitize the people on the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law in the State. She stated that there is no moral justification for sexual and Gender Based Violence therefore, child traffickers, rapists, molesters, and other perpetrators of such related crimes no longer have a place in the state.
The Committee Chairman declared that with the VAPP law, the committee is able to protect the victims and persecute the culprit. She recapped on the effects of this barbaric acts on the victims saying that they become dead emotionally and psychologically. She then encouraged the victims to always speak up so that help will come their way, while she frowned at those who try to obstruct justice.
The Governor’s wife charge the traditional rulers to also go back to their domain and sensitize the people using the town criers on the various consequences of being involved in such heinous act urging them to ostracize such people and their families from their community. She appealed to the officers and men of the police force not to scare victims of GBV away but rather they should be encouraged to seek justice.
Setting the tone, the secretary of the committee, Barr. Emem Ette said it’s not business as usual for the perpetuator of GBV crimes right from the inception of this GBV committee, therefore all hands are on deck to fight this crime to a standstill.
The Resource person and member of the GBV committee, Barr. Mfon Edemekong gave a summary of VAPP law noted that the law has six sections and over 40 subsections which include but not limited to the following; law against rape, infliction of injury, laws against female mutilation, harmful widowhood practices, law against child trafficking and child abuse. She added that the rape offenders have a life imprisonment jail term without an option of fine.
During the discussion and interactive session with the stakeholders, Service chiefs and community leaders, several issues on GBV were discussed and possible solution on how to curb the menace was reached.
Welcoming the Chairman and members of the GBV Committee, the various chairmen from Esit Eket, Eket and ONNA Local Government Area, Rt. Hon Iniobong Robson, Hon. Akan Tommy and Hon. Iniabasi Ekanem respectively thanked the Governor’s wife for coming to their domain with this massage and promised to take the message to their various communities.
30th November, 2021.
IbomInkNews
0 Comments