Women group holds rally against child rape

By Bianca Iboma

Scores of women recently picketed the Lagos State Governor’s Office in Alausa, Ikeja, to register displeasure at the unending spate of rape and sexual abuse of minors, including infants, in the country.

The protesters, including a number of men, were members of the Alliance Against Domestic Violence and Abuse (AADVA).

Clad in black, the women insisted that the culture of rape must be stopped. They gathered for hours, blocking the entrance to the Governor’s Office in spite of the downpour. They carried placards with inscriptions, some of which read, “Stop the abuse.” “Give our children a future,” and “Protect our children against violence,” among others.

Dr. Ama Onyerinma, the convener, Live Abundantly Initiative, said most rape cases are suppressed by parents and relatives for fear of social stigmatisation and the belief that culprits are hardly convicted.

“The cases of child rape are on the rise in Nigeria. No day passes without an incident,” Onyerinma said, describing the trend as unfortunate.

She added that rape was a conscious process of intimidation wherein perpetrators keep women, and children especially, in a state of constant fear. She insisted that rape devalues the victim.

“It is a crime, which stigmatises the emotions, a crime of insult, oppression and revenge that needs to be punished because a rapist is a criminal and all crimes and their beneficiaries must be punished.

“Rape and other forms of sexual harassment need the urgent and serious attention of family, institutions, civil society groups, government and the international community,” she submitted.

Stressing that the culture of silence has made rape cases prevalent, education and a lot of advocacy was needed for victims to speak up and get justice.

Onyerinma said that prompt professional response from the police should not be compromised, irrespective of whether the perpetrator is a relative or not.

She enjoined parents to report cases of rape and ensure that culprits are paid back with a more severe punishment.

“We really want to ensure a violence-free society for all,” she stated.

Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Lola Akande, who addressed the protesters, said the Lagos State government was doing everything possible to stem the tide through its Security Trust Fund and some of the ministries.