The Nigerian Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ has called on the Nigerian government at all levels to implement laws that are aimed at preventing violence against women and girls.
The Vice President of NAWOJ in the Southwest, B’ Zone, Ayaba Omobola Akingbehin made the call in her message to mark this year’s International Day of Violence against women and girls.
Akingbehin described violence against women and girls as one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations globally which remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it.
She said that Violence against women continues to be an obstacle to achieving peace, equality, development, as well as to the fulfillment of women and girls’ human rights.
According to her, the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals – to leave no one behind – cannot be fulfilled without putting an end to violence against women and girls.
She therefore called for stiffer penalties for violators of women and girls right as a measure to curb violence against women and girls.
Meanwhile, as part of 16 Days of Activism against Gender based Violence, to mark this year International Day of Violence against Women and Girls, the NAWOJ B’Zone would be organising a day program tagged “Orange the World: Let’s stop Violence Against Women in our Communities “, on Dec. 3, in Ibadan, Oyo State.