By Scholastica Joseph, Makurdi
The First Lady of Benue State, Mrs Eunice Ortom, and the Zonal Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Mrs Gloria Bai, have both urged women to speak out against sexual gender based violence so that offenders can be brought to book.
They stated this in their separate remarks after a road walk across major streets of Makurdi to mark the end of the 16 Days Activism Campaign Against Sexual Gender Based Violence which began on November 21, 2021, being part of events to mark 2021 World Human Right Day in the state.
They also advocated for “Special Courts” for prosecution of offenders in the state.
The First Lady called on stakeholders, religious and traditional institutions, the Benue people and other relevant authorities, saddled with the responsibility as first responders to gender base violence issues, to increase sensitization to mitigate violence against women and children.
Mrs Ortom, who acknowledged the fact that the other gender are also violated, said she hopes that Benue would be free from the menace of violence against women and children.
On her part, Bai said the road walk marks an end of 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence.
She lamented that many women are dying in silence because they are afraid to come out particularly young girls who were raped saying the agency will stop at nothing to fight and ensure the menace is reduced.
She further stated that the last 16-day awareness creation was also to help victims speak up so that cases of violence can be reported.
Also speaking, chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in Benue State, Rev. Akpen Leva, stated that the church condemns the acts of violence against women and children and promised to raise awareness in churches.
He pledged that the church will step up advocacy to reduce the menace.
