Group known as Women Aid Collective (WACOL) Edo South 50-50 Action Women, has demanded an effective implementation of Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, and all existing Laws criminalizing Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

The group also demanded the full implementation by all communities of the state of emergency on VAWG declared by the Nigerian Governor’s Forum in 2020, and that communities should with immediate effect, integrate into the Nigerian Constitution the Supreme Court judgment on the Right of the Girl-Child to Property Inheritance.

The group further implored communities to include women and girls into leadership positions of community governance structures such as cabinet, Town Unions and Youth Wings, through more inclusive processes for elective offices as clearly spelt out in the Constitution.

Prof. Evelyn U. Edosomwan, Chairperson, WACOL, alongside other executives of the group made the demands in Benin during an advocacy visit to head of government ministries/agencies, head of union, etc.

Other issues raised during the advocacy visit included: marginalization, discrimination, spousal neglect and abuse, obnoxious widowhood rites and practices, rape, trafficking in women and girls, defilement and upsurge of paedophiliacs.

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The visit, according to her was part of activities to mark the 16 Days Activism Against Violence Against Women which commenced on November 25 globally.

The Chairperson noted that the theme of the 2022 Commemoration is “Unite! Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls.”

At the office of Monday Osaigovo, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Edo State, Prof. Edosomwan stated that the rural communities still hosts deviants and social miscreants who lure young girls and even babies into corners and rape or defile them, lamenting that women are still being raped even on farm lands.

She also decried obnoxious widowhood practices which she said still persist in some communities as part of cultural norms, just as she solicited support of the head of Local Government and Community Affairs to be part of the strategic meeting where the Enigie and other community leaders will sit down to advance solutions to end such social anomalies.

Responding, the Commissioner said Edo people cannot continue to obey laws and tradition that are harmful to women and girls in the local communities.

He stated that fifty per cent of offenders or culprits in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence often denied that they were not aware and always traded blames when they were caught in the act.

Also receiving the Advocacy Team in his office, the Commissioner for Arts and Culture, Prince Bamidele Obaitan, expressed zero tolerance for all forms of Gender-Based Violence, Child abuse, sexual harassment, and violence against women in all forms.

“It is sad that lots of parents fail in their responsibility too. Poor parenting is presently an issue in our society. Parents have to wake up to their responsibility to take adequate care of their children and wards.

“Women have been marginalized in many spheres of human endeavour, and this has to stop in our communities. Every woman and girl child need to be empowered to enable us have a better society. Indecent dressing is also an issue. Women and every girl child should learn to dress properly, having the mind that there is time and there is a place for everything. Let’s learn to teach our youth the right values and encourage them to shun all vices.” The Commissioner stated.

Also visiting the Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, Prof. Edosomwan and members of the Advocacy Team used the opportunity to condole with the Chairman who was recently bereaved of his mother, just as she stated that the vacuum created by the loss of a mother in a family cannot be filled.

She informed the NUJ boss of the objectives of the visit which, according to her, was to partner with the union in creating awareness on the spate of violence against women and girls in the society, and intention to use the various news media to call on duty bearers, traditional rulers and all others to take more effective action to stop violence against women and girls, especially harmful cultural practices.

She said: “It is imperative to sensitize all relevant stakeholders on the strategic import of the 16 Days Activism in the global struggle. We implore you all, members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, to join us in drumming up awareness on SGBV and several other societal ills impeding on the growth, survival and progress of women. All hands must be on deck in putting a stop on the vicious circle of Violence against Women and girls.”

The Chairperson further called on all stakeholders, Human/Women’s Rights Activists, CSOs, Law Enforcement officers and Youths to act now toward eliminating violence against women and girls in the Society.

In his response, Comrade Festus Alenkhe stated that the demands of the group are germane and commended the group for the initiatives.

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“The perpetrators of these acts of violence against women are not aliens who fell from space. They are people in our neighborhoods, people often known by their victims. It is high time all stakeholders teamed up to stop these vices. The Law should be sterner and should be enforced. I assure you that the NUJ will collaborate with you in giving voice to these campaigns. Once again, do not rest on your oars.”

Among those who accompanied the Chairperson on the Advocacy Visit were Mrs Eseosa Onebamoi, Programme Officer, Comrade Adesuwa Ehimuan, Chairperson of NAWOJ Edo State Chapter and Vice Chairperson of the group, Comrade Grace I. Umeh, Public Relations Officer and former Chairperson, NAWOJ, Edo State and Comrade Habiba Sam, member.