NGO, WINET takes campaign against rape, gender violence to Enugu communities

 

From; Madu Ezenoha, Enugu

 

Worried by the rising cases of rape and gender violence, a non governmental organization (NGO), Women Information Network (WINET) has taken the campaign against the vices to Enugu communities.

 

To this end, communities in Enugu State have been advised to design response systems to stem cases of rape and other sexual and gender-based violence.

 

They have also been told to mainstream Sexual and Gender -Based Violence (SGBV) issues into community events especially in the area of safety and security. 

 

A resource person, Mr. Larry Oguego gave the advice at a ‘Community Dialogue on Involving Men in Ending Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Enugu State’ at Umuchigbo Iji-Nike Community, Enugu East local government area of the state, during a sensitization event organized by Women Information Network (WINET), a rights group and nongovernmental organisation (NGO).

 

Oguego, a right activist said it is important to train boys and girls to understand the issues about violence against women and girls in the society because there are laws such as the Enugu State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law 2019 that protects victims.

 

According to Mr. Oguego, no one who does something wrong especially perpetrating violence against women and girls should be allowed to go free.

 

He said people should be made to face the consequences of their actions and emphasized that it is the duty of men and boys to protect women and girls.

 

The chairman of Umuchigbo Iji-Nike Community, Hon. Kenneth Mbah in a remark promised to organize a similar dialogue for a larger number of community members to sensitize them on Sexual and Gender Based Violence. 

 

Mbah said that the community has in a place a taskforce where people report such cases and expressed delight that WINET visited his community to enlighten the men on Sexual and Gender-Based violence which is very prevalent in the society now.

 

Earlier, the Executive Director of Women Information Network (WINET) Mrs. Miriam Menkiti said that her organization was involving men and boys in their campaign to end sexual and gender-based violence in Enugu State because they are mainly the perpetrators of SGBV.

 

While stressing that men have a role to play in ending the scourge, Menkiti said the WINET project titled ‘Sustained Enlightenment Campaign to end Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Enugu State’ was with a view to achieving increased enjoyment of human rights by women and girls and the advancement of gender equality.

 

She stated that the community dialogue was organized under the Women’s Voice and Leadership (WVL) Nigeria Project, fully supported by ActionAid Nigeria with funding from Global Affairs Canada.