As Nigeria joins the world to commemorate 16 days of activism campaign to end violence against women and girls, the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA), Nigeria Rivers State branch has described violence against women and girls as one of the worst and most prevalent violence in the world.
Speaking at an event organized by AWLA Rivers State with the theme, “Orange the world: End violence against women now” the coordinator, Dr. Hilda Desmond-Ihekaire said AWLA is committed to advance the rights of women and children through a multi-faceted approach such as advocacy, sensitization campaigns and pro bono litigation services as it relates to women and children.
Hilda explained that the 16 days global campaign which runs from 25th November being the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10th December which is regarded as International Human Rights Day is aimed at raising awareness about gender-based violence, challenge discriminatory practices and call for improved legislation to completely eradicate the menace.
She added that the UN Secretary General in line with the UN’s UNITE to End Violence Against Women Campaign uses orange as a unifying colour which symbolizes hope and a brighter future free from violence against women and girls.
Chairperson of the event, Hon. Justice K-Chuku Augusta Uche in her speech revealed some of the inhibitions encouraging violence against women to include some laws which encourage violence against women and girls to include Section 55 of the Labour Act prohibits women from working at night except nurses, Section 360 of the Criminal Code makes indecent assault of a woman a misdemeanor but in the case of a man, it is a felony.
Hon. Justice Simeon Amadi, members of the high table and AWLA executives
Section 118 G of the Police Act provides that married women are not to be enlisted in the force and if pregnant, she is required to leave the force. Crowing it with Section 55 of the Penal Code which provides that husbands can chastise their wives for any matrimonial offence and any injury or even death resulting from such chastisement will not be seen as an offence.
On his part, the keynote speaker Dr. Francis Tony Agums pointed that most violence against women is perpetrated by fellow women and encouraged proper education and sensitization of women especially in the rural communities.
The climax of the event was the presentation of awards to Hon. Justice Simeon Amadi, chief judge of Rivers State, Hon. Justice Margret Opara and Hon. Justice Augusta Uche for their support and commitment to AWLA objectives and protection of the rights of women and children.
