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By Vivian Onyebukwa
The cases of domestic violence, child abuse, rape and other human right abuses, have been on the rise, despite all the efforts by the government and human rights organisations to end the scourge.
In this interview, Ambassador Esther Ekwem, Founder, Esther Child Rights Foundation (ECRF), delved into these issues. She proposed severe punishment for offenders, including life sentences where appropriate.
Issues of rape and child abuse are on the increase. What do you think is the responsible?
The rise in rape and child abuse is rooted in a breakdown of values, weak law enforcement, poverty, silence around abuse, and the normalisation of violence, especially against women and children. Many perpetrators act because they believe they would not be held accountable, while victims are often afraid to speak out due to stigma and fear.
Sexual child abuse is another horror. What can you say about it?
Sexual abuse of a child is one of the most inhuman crimes imaginable. It robs children of their innocence, safety, and mental well-being. Society must treat it as a national emergency and stop protecting offenders under the guise of family or cultural silence.
What can be done to tackle these problems?
We must strengthen the justice system, ensure swift prosecution of offenders, protect survivors, and intensify public education. Parents, schools, religious institutions, and the media must also take responsibility by teaching consent, respect, and moral responsibility from an early age.
Some have proposed life sentence as punishment for offenders. What do you think?
ECRF supports severe punishment for offenders, including life sentences where appropriate. Sexual crimes destroy lives permanently, and the punishment must reflect the gravity of the offence. Strong penalties also serve as deterrents.
What would you say has happened to morals in the society?
A number of issues are responsible for that such as, materialism, poor role models, and lack of accountability. Respect for human dignity has declined, and violence is on the increase.
Who is to blame?
Blame lies with everyone—families, communities, institutions, and the government when wrongdoing is ignored, justified, or covered up. Silence enables abuse.
What’s your organisation doing to tackle these moral issues?
Esther Child Rights Foundation focuses on advocacy, legal support for victims, public sensitisation, school outreaches, community education, and partnership with law enforcement agencies to protect women and children.
Have you recorded any successes so far?
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Yes. We have successfully supported survivors in seeking justice, raised awareness in vulnerable communities, and helped break the silence around abuse through education and advocacy campaigns.
What’s your message to people who commit these social crimes?
I want to tell them that their actions destroy lives and will not remain hidden forever. Justice will catch up with them. We call on perpetrators to stop, seek help, and take responsibility, because society will no longer tolerate violence against women and children.
What can you tell women who experience domestic violence by their husbands, such as the late Osinachi, the gospel artiste?
To every woman experiencing domestic violence: You are not weak, and you are not alone. Abuse is not love, and silence does not save lives. No marriage, religion, or social status justifies violence. I encourage women to speak up early, seek help, and prioritise their safety. Leaving an abusive situation is not a failure; it is an act of courage and self-preservation.
Some pregnant women offenders give birth and raise babies in prison. Do you think it’s right?
This is a deeply troubling issue. While offenders must serve justice, innocent children should not grow up in prison environments. Government policies should provide alternative care systems that prioritise the child’s welfare while the mother serves her sentence.
What motivates you to do what you do?
I am motivated by the belief that every human being—woman, or child, deserves safety, dignity, and fair treatment. Each life helped, each conflict resolved, and each voice restored strengthens my resolve to continue this work.
How long do you intend to do this?
I am a diligent and dedicated advocate who has committed her time and resources to promoting justice, fairness, and human dignity. I have no regrets using all my time and resources in this cause. In fact, I am determined to spend the rest of my life supporting disadvantaged children, women, and individuals facing social and legal challenges, not only in Nigeria but also across the African continent as a whole.
Tell us more about ECRF
ECRF was established in 2009. While our core focus is the protection of children and women, the foundation also intervenes in broader social justice and human rights matters, including landlord–tenant disputes, men-related issues, debtor and financial dispute cases, and other conflicts where vulnerable individuals require guidance, mediation, or legal support.
Over the years, I have impacted positively on the lives of the less privileged through advocacy, mediation, and direct intervention. Through ECRF, I provide specialised counselling, rehabilitation, conflict resolution, and legal support to victims of abuse, injustice, and social disputes, regardless of gender.
How long have you been doing this, and what prompted it?
Esther Child Rights Foundation (ECRF) was founded in 2009, following repeated encounters with cases of abuse where victims, especially children, had no voice, protection, or access to justice. The organisation was established to advocate the rights of women and children, provide support for survivors of abuse, and promote justice, dignity, and moral responsibility in society.
What can the government do curb crime among youths in the society?
The government must invest in education, skills acquisition, employment opportunities, mental health services, and youth empowerment programmes. When youths are supported, crime reduces.
