The high rate of lack of adequate attention on issues affecting women and children may affect the peace and prosperity of the nation, if not halted immediately, a veteran journalist and activist, Mrs. Cecilia Nwachukwu, has warned.
Speaking with journalists on recent developments bordering on women and children, she expressed disappointment that government had not done much in addressing the issue in recent times.
According to the women and children rights advocate, this has led to an upsurge in crimes against these very important segments of the society.
She reasoned that this was most unfortunate as the nation was literarily toying with her future by looking the other way.
These women and children, according to her, suffer rape, forceful marriage, kidnapping, genital mutilation and lots more.
“It is time governments, at all levels, in this country take seriously, issues negatively impacting women and children.
“As a veteran journalist who has covered issues relating to these critical sectors of our national life, I am really disturbed about the issue.
“This is because, year in year out, nobody seems to be ready to tackle the menace, largely because they do not see it as important.
“’In the last three years, we have recorded an increasing rate in issues affecting them, such that we had to refer such matters, to organizations that can help due to financial constraints.
“In October 5, 2023 for instance, I and a few others had to take up the matter of one Esther Nwaneri whom her in-laws attempted to force to drink water from the body of a corpse to prove that she did not kill her husband.
“It took the intervention of a prominent lawyer who threatened to drag the family to court before the maltreatment stopped.
“A similar scenario befell one Mrs. Oyeronke Kareem-Akindele and her three children, Aishat, Abdulfatai and Fathia on February 12, 2024 in Lagos.
“I, along some NGOs had to step in to stop her in-laws from severally attempting to forcefully circumcise the children, inflicting both mental and psychological pain on them in the process.
“Ever since Oyeronke Kareem-Akindele and her children have not been located by our team and other well-wishers.
“This year, we have also handled more cases, including that of a toddler whose step mother inflicted burns on her with a pressing iron.
“These are not palatable stories in any serious society and such require government attention if our nation is to realize her potentials,” she said.