Women
A coalition of women groups under the aegis of Badagry Women Development Forum (BWDF) on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest against incessant rape incidents in the country.
The women, with T-shirts and placards condemning rape and violence against girls, marched through the streets of Badagry and visited markets, traditional rulers and the three local governments in the area.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that among the inscriptions on the placards were “Real Men Don’t Rape”, “Say No to Rape and all Kinds of Abuse”.
Others were “Say No to Violence Against Women”; “No to Domestic Abuse and Violence; “No to Women Assault and Sexual Offences.
Mrs Sewede Pot-Balogun-Olorunfemi, NWDF Coordinator, said the protest was to raise awareness on rising cases of violence against women and girls.
“This is to create awareness on domestic violence against women, our children are being killed on daily basis.
“We notice that rape has become too many, we are coming out to protest against this evil.
“BDWF wants to encourage our people to speak out, we are condemning this act and that is why we are out to let our people know that it is wrong to molest our children and girls,” she said.
She urged government at all levels to protect women and ensure rapists did not go unpunished.
Pot-Balogun said that rapists should be given capital punishment to serve as deterrence to others.
“Our mothers too should take care of their children, they should be their children’s confidants and not leave them in care of strangers,” she said.
Addressing the women, Badagry Council Chairman, Olusegun Onilude, described rape as a crime against humanity.
“I don’t know what the world is turning to because I don’t see the pleasure any sane man would derive from forcefully molesting a girl.
“This act is condemnable, it is against natural justice and I stand with people prescribing capital punishment for rape,” the chairman said.
Also speaking, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, Founder, Real Acts of Kindness (RAK) Foundation, described rape as animalistic behavior and urged maximum punishment for offenders.
Ogunlende said that his NGO would continue to collaborate with the women groups in the fight against violence against women and girls.
“We cannot imagine the sight of a lady being raped, so, I’m standing with those calling for capital punishment for perpetrators.
“We are also appealing to men to desist from this heinous crime,” Ogunlende said.
At Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), the Chairman, Mr Joseph Gbenu, condemned all acts of violence against women.
Gbenu urged government to listen to renewed calls for a more stringent law against rape, adding that the incidents were becoming alarming in our society.
At Olorunda LCDA secretariat, wife of the council chairman, Mrs Oluwakemi Olatunde, who received the protesters, decried the latest increase in rape incidents in the country.
According to her, “women are not free in this country anymore and our children are no longer safe again.”
Olatunde urged parents to always ensure that children dressed decently before leaving home to guard against undue exposure.
Oba Olalekan James, the Aholu of Kweme Kingdom, commended the women for coming out to sensitize the people of Badagry on evil of violence against women in the society.
James condemned the act of rape and called for the castration of offenders to deter people from committing rape.
Alhaji Fatai Shokunbi, Chief Executive Officer, Fams Embassy Hotel and Suites, also said anybody caught committing the crime should be castrated to serve as deterrence to others. (NAN)
– Jun. 10, 2020 @ 12:55 GMT |
Tags: Badagry women protest incessant rape incidents in Nigeria
