Delta: Female journalists campaign against rape

By Esther Eugene, Warri

Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, has described rape as a cancerous pandemic eating through the foundation of the society, and creating an unsafe environment for all.

The state Chairman of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ, Comrade Pat Gbemudu stated this during a stand up campaign tagged “stand against rape and other Gender Based Violence “.

The event was organized by Delta NAWOJ in partnership with Civil Society Organizations and Women Association in the state.

The various groups involved in the Stand against rape campaign included the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ, Delta State Chapter, Medical Women Association of Nigeria, MWAN, International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Association Against Child Sexual and Gender Based Violence, Ideal Child Foundation, Courageous Girls and Women Initiative, Working Fingers and Soroptomist International.

They gathered at the Interbau roundabout Asaba, dressed in Apron strings and carrying Placards bearing various inscriptions, such as Stop Rape Now, No Means No, Leave Me Alone Means No, Say No to Rape, Rape is a crime, Stop killing our girls, Say No to Child Molestation, Don’t Wait to be a Victim, and No to Sexual Violence.
Their dressing and chants caught the attention of passerby and commuters, most of whom slowed down to get the messages.

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In her remarks, Comrade Pat Gbemudu called for the domestication of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, VAPP Act, in Delta State.

She added that stricter punishments should be meted out to rapists, to serve as deterrent to other criminal minded persons.

The state NAWOJ Chairman said proper parenting was key in the fight against rape, and urged parents to groom both the boys and girls into responsive and supportive citizens.

Comrade Gbemudu advocated that rapists should be blamed, shamed and punished, and not the victims.

Leaders of the various Civil society groups and Women associations present, said that the campaign has become necessary given the increasing spate at which minors and adults, including boys and girls, were being raped in different parts of the country.

The state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Comrade Mike Ikeogwu, who came with some NUJ members to support the female journalists in their efforts to curb rape in the society, said rape is a crime that should be punished.

Participants from the various chapels that make up NAWOJ in Delta State who spoke with correspondent Eunice Emeyazia, emphasized the need for more sensitization on the issues surrounding rape.