Participants in a Town Hall meeting on ‘Ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence’ on Thursday 11th November 2021 at Umuchigbo Iji-Nike community in Enugu East Local government area of Enugu State have agreed to work together to ensure that perpetrators of violence against women and girls are punished in accordance with the provisions of the law.
The women also said that they will share information on where to report cases to women and girls of their community.
Participants in the meeting from Umuchigbo Iji-Nike
Ms. Ebele Ofora, a facilitator at the meeting and Gender Specialist, emphasized that all cases of domestic violence and sexual and gender based violence should be reported to appropriate authorities or non-governmental organizations providing support to victims.
Ms. Ebele Ofora said “this is important because it will greatly help to reduce the incidence”.
Ms. Ebele Ofora during a session
She explained that perpetrators of violence will desist from such acts when they are aware of the punishment that awaits them while emphasizing that stopping the incidence of Sexual and Gender Based Violence is a collective responsibility for all segments of the society.
Barrister Nnenna Anozie, another facilitator at the meeting, advised women on the need to speak out in order to break the culture of silence and report cases.
Barr. Nnenna Anozie highlighted provisions of Enugu State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law 2019 noting that under the law the crime of rape is liable to imprisonment for life.
She said that sexual and gender based violence includes physical, emotional, or psychological and sexual violence and denial of resources or access to services.
In her opening remarks, Mrs. Miriam Menkiti, the executive director, Women Information Network (WINET) Enugu, advised the women to work together towards the elimination of domestic violence against women and girls and sexual and gender-based violence in their community.
According to her, it is only when women insist on punishment of perpetrators of violence that the society will have a reprieve from the menace of violence against women and girls.
She said that the meeting was organised in partnership with AcionAid Nigeria under the Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria project funded by Global Affairs’ Canada.
The WINET project is tilted Sustained Enlightenment Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Girls and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.