The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has expressed grave displeasure over the rising cases of violence against women in the world especially in Nigeria with international statistics revealing that one in every three women has experienced physical or sexual violence.
Mrs. Ifeyinwa Omowole, NAWOJ National President in a statement on Wednesday, described as worrisome that in Nigeria, cases of violence either go unreported or are treated with kid gloves, while those that are reported spend traumatic months in courts, answering questions that are unnecessary.
It is for this reason that NAWOJ calls for a unanimous stance to end violence in Nigeria; the Federal government, the Judiciary and the Legislature must enact policies or laws to immediately give cases of violence accelerated hearing, while also ensuring that penalty for violence is stringent enough to serve as a deterrent.
The association noted that jail term and punishment cannot end violence against women which is why in line with the theme of the 2015 international day for the elimination of violence against women, NAWOJ wishes to call on all stakeholders to embark on mass enlightenment.
There must be community mobilization to change social norms, to comprehensive school interventions targeting staff and pupils, to economic empowerment and income supplements coupled with gender equity training.
Parents, especially mothers have a role to play in educating both their male and female children; the boys must inculcate the norm that it is cowardice to beat a woman and the girl must know what amounts to violence.
Sex education must be encouraged in schools and at home to curb sexual manipulation and abuse of minors.
We also call on government at all levels to adopt the 2015 UN Framework on Preventing Violence against Women and the Violence against Persons Prohibition law to ensure their implementation in various states and local governments.
Religious bodies and leaders also have roles to play; none of the known Holy Books preaches violence against women and as such it must be discouraged by our clegy men.
NAWOJ also calls on the media to desist from broadcasting materials capable of promoting violence and lead the fight against violence by uutilising their wide reach in educating the public.
It is the hope of NAWOJ that someday, in the near future, the Nigerian woman will not be ranked with those who are being abused.
