Yakubu Busari
The Plateau State chapter of violence against women has called on government to encourage campaign to end violence in Jos.
Speaking on behalf of campaign group, tagged Jos unites against Violence against women at the weekend in Jos the state capital. .
Plateau state team leader of the Girls Education and Advocacy Research Network Nigeria, Rinmicit Temlong, who spoke at the occasion , noted that the call became necessary due to the increasing cases of violence against women and children in schools, places of work, homes, in some refugee and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in the society.
According to her, “This campaign is aimed at curbing the increasing cases of violence against women and girls especially in Plateau state.”
Speaking further, Temlong said, “We want government to enact laws because the ones we have are obsolete, and to quickly address this current trend that we are talking about. If government can enact these laws, it will go a long way in curbing this menace.
She added that rape and domestic abuse account for 5 per cent of health challenges for women of reproductive age in developing countries, with Nigeria inclusive.
“According to report 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence in her Lifetime “.
“During My Interaction with Community members during my numerous field works i have discovered various forms of violence against women and girls”
“A recent study showed an alarming rise in rape cases in Jos and its environs and this is a serious threat to our society “.
“Violence against women and Girls is a Human rights violation that happens in public and private spaces. We need to create awareness and break harmful social, cultural, norms and stereotypes “she added.
“We call on government to continue to create awareness against women and children and empower both Women and Men, because we have to carry both sex along we need a paradigm shift in handling and tackling violence against women. We must carry everyone along. We can’t afford to leave any behind.
w”We are rising to say enough in the face of patriarchy and violence happens everywhere, across social divides, class, culture etc. the most vulnerable are women and girls living in poverty. There are a lot of factors that continue to drive violence against women and Girls in Nigeria. Some of which are Poverty, no access to education, bad governance etc “.
“We the women in Plateau have united and mapped out strategies to carry this message to rural communities, Schools, religious houses etc, to also sponsor private bills that would lead to end violence against women and girls, because we need laws and policies that help us achieve this.”
She also said “Building a peaceful society to end the discrimination on women and harmful practices such as Child marriage, human trafficking, and rape is very visible if we arise and build the Plateau we want and the Nigeria we want.
Temlong also said Government should increase the number of women in political positions, and political parties should get more women elected into positions.
