Wife of the Delta State Governor, Dame Edith Okowa has reiterated her supports towards ending violence against women.
Dame Okowa made this known while playing host to women who were on a courtesy visit to her office in Asaba, during the 16 Day activism against gender based violence.
She said in ensuring that victims had a place of refuge, where they would come to share their pains and get justice, Sexually Assault Referral Centre have been established in the state capital.
The governor’s wife assured them of the establishment of two Referral Centres in the other senatorial districts for victims across the state.
While commending the women for taking their time to embark on the exercise, she frowned at how so many persons judge women who were raped.
She charged them to speak with the women who are victims in love and not scolding or putting blames on them.
Dame Okowa also advised that women should support other women in politics, so as to enable them have a voice in governance.
On her part, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon Flora Alanta said the advocacy was to help put an end to various level of maltreatment of women in the society.
She commended the effort of the state governor in changing the narrative of women across the nation.
While seeking synergy, she said it would help prepare their male child as they grow to learn to treat women with love.
Speaking the former Commissioner for Humanitarian and Community Support Services, Hon. Bridget Anyafulu, commended the effort of the state government in ensuring that the issue of violence against women and the Girl Child was reduced.
Anyafulu said with the domestication of the VAMP law and intensive advocacy across the state, sensitizing Deltans on the need to protect their rights, the rate of violence were not as it were in the past.
According to her, the keyword in the state was ‘Speak Out’, as Deltans have become their neighbour’s keeper in stopping every form of violence on women, adding that with the social register by the Ministry of Justice, perpetrators of such act of violence are publicly exposed and dealt with.
Anyafulu appreciated, Dame Okowa describing her as the Commandeer of the orange Brigade for establishing the group few years ago to sensitize Deltans to embrace peace and not engage in violence.
On her part the state Chairman of Nigeria Association of Women Journalist, (NAWOJ), Comrade Sonia Unobunjo said speaking out was the only way to end violence.
Unobunjo urged women to be their sister’s keepers.
She also called on women to unite by coming together to end violence at all forms.
Unobunjo pleaded with the public not to discriminate victims of violence abuse as it can lead to suicide, rather they should encourage them and ensure that there was no further victimization.
The Chairman added that NAWOJ was on it to see that maltreatment of women comes to an end..
Some of the placards carried by the women, had the inscriptions, “Give women more voice and let their voice count”, “say no to rape” amongst others.
