WINET stresses need for Enugu communities to remove barriers in reporting rape, other sexual violence

BY: Sandra Ani (Enugu)

Communities in Enugu State have been advised to remove barriers in reporting rape and other sexual and gender-based violence cases to the law enforcement agencies.

A Social Reformer, who believes that respect for human rights creates an enabling environment for national transformation, Mr. Larry Oguego gave the advice on Tuesday, (18/8/2020) during a Community Dialogue on Involving Men and Boys in Ending Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) organized by Women Information Network (WINET) at Ugwuaji Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local government area of Enugu State.

Mr. Oguego explained that some communities had bye-laws that did not permit members to take one another to court or report a community member to the police.

He condemned such practices which he said are impediments to seeking justice by victims of crime such as rape that require immediate provision of evidence to be established by the police and hospital.

Mr. Larry Oguego advised citizens to desist from shielding their relations who have committed crimes from prosecution as this type of practice helps to embolden criminals to continue committing crimes in the society.

He suggested that suspects of rape, wife battery, sexual abuse and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence should be apprehended and handed over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution.

On what men could do to prevent Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in the society, he advised Community and town unions to train men and boys to respect women and girls and train the girl-child to be careful and discerning in the society.

Speaking at the event, the President-General of Ugwuaji Awkunanaw, Mr. Nkwuo Friday Reuben thanked Women Information Network (WINET) for initiating the dialogue to involve men in ending Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the society promising that that his office and the Chairmen of the villages will work together to disseminate information from the dialogue to other males in the community.

He regretted that sometimes victims of rape shy away from reporting because of some of the embarrassing way in which they are cross examined to determine the case.

Earlier, the Executive Director of Women Information Network (WINET) Mrs. Miriam Menkiti said that following the increasing wave of sexual and gender based violence in the society, WINET was leading a campaign to involve men and boys in ending the scourge in the society.

Some participants in the dialogue

Mrs. Menkiti said that her organization, WINET was engaging is sustained enlightenment campaign to end sexual and gender based violence in Enugu State, under the Women’s Voice and Leadership (WVL) Nigeria project, fully supported by ActionAid Nigeria and funded by Global Affairs Canada.

She said the project is being executed with a view to achieving increased enjoyment of human rights by women and girls and the advancement of gender equality in Nigeria.