Government
has been urged to ensure
effective implementation
of legal
frameworks
that protect women and girls
against
violence.
A
statement issued by the West African Net
Work for
Peace building (WANEP) and signed
by Bridget
Osakwe the National Network
Coordinator
of the organisation, affirmed
that laws
such as the Domestic Violence
Law of Lagos
State, the Violence
Against Persons
Prosecution (VAPP)
Law, the
Child Rights Act (2003) when
properly implemented
will serve as a
deterrent
to the perpetrators of all forms
of
violence against women in the society.
The
statement also stated that efforts to
stop violence
against women and girls
should be intensified,
as there are many
survivors who
need help and
rehabilitation.
The
statement further explained the need
for
parents, guardians, caregivers and the
public need,
to be sensitized on their
roles and responsibilities
towards
ensuring
adequate protection for women
and girls
in our society.
Recalling
the case of Ochanya Elizabeth
Ogbanje, a
13-year-old girl who died of
Vesico
Vaginal Fistula, (VVF) and other
related health
challenges because of
severe
torture, the statement noted, “prior
to her death,
Ochanya had been
repeatedly
raped since she was eight
years old
by her aunt’s husband and son.
Andrew Ogbuja,
52-year-old, was a
lecturer at
the Catering and Hotel
Management
Department of Benue State
Polytechnic,
Ugbokolo while his son
Victor
Ogbuja, was a final year student
of Animal Production
at the Federal
University
of Agriculture Makurdi
(UAM).
Ochanya found herself in this
unfortunate
situation due to quest to
further her
education in her aunt’s
house,’’
The
release also explained that when news of the
incident
broke, it garnered a lot of sympathizers, as
many called
for the immediate prosecution of the
perpetrators.
It further
stated that intense protest rallies were held
and candle
light events organized by civil society
organisations
across the country and added that
Gender
Based experts and activists alike fervently
condemned
the act, calling for justice.
“Government
representatives also criticized the
appalling incident
and even named a street in
remembrance
of the victim. However, after the
celebrated
incident, more rape cases of minors have
been
reported in the news.
“While the
Ochanya’s story was rife in
the media,
one pertinent question raised
was,
“where was her aunt amidst these
predicaments?
Was she not aware of the
sexual abuse
of the ward while under her
watch?
Newspaper reports reveal she was
aware and
reported to her priest at church
but the case
was shrouded in secrecy.
This only enunciates
the culture of
silence and
culpability of religious
leaders in
supporting and reinforcing acts
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