South East breaking News
By Steve Unegbu
As part of the 16 -days of Activism Against Gender -Based -Violence, the wife of Abia state Governor and president of Vicar Hope Foundation (VHF) has called for the speedy passage of the bill of All forms of violence Against persons into Law.
According to her if the bill is passed into Law, it will help to check the incessant issues of Gender -Based -Violence which is common in the society now.
Speaking during the press conference, held at Vicar Hope Foundation, headquarter, Umuahia,with the theme : Orange the world, :Generation Equality Stands Against Rape ‘ She noted that, Vicar Hope Foundation and her partners over the past months have sustained the action to ensure the passage of this bill into Law, adding that the proactive 7th Abia House of Assembly is seriously working on the bill with a view to giving it a speedy passage .
In her words, ” It is pertinent to know that for several years, efforts to passage of the bill has been very slow, until this coalition of civil society organizations come together, joined forces and also met the willing House of Assembly that put the people first “
She revealed that about 154 countries have laws against sexual harassment, but even where these laws exist, women and girls from all walks of life still face sexual harassment every day, adding that 15 million adolescent girls worldwide have experienced force sex at some points in their lives and only one percent of this great number have reached out for professional help.
Mrs Ikpeazu pointed out that the reason women and girls are less likely to report sex abuses are, rejection, victim blaming and stigmatization ,saying that it is obvious that “we need to leverage and take action to the next level.
In her speech, the Representative of International Federation of Women Lawyers( FIDA ),Barrister Chidinma Alozie, commended the wife of the governor on her efforts to ensure that the bill against violence is passed, saying when that bill is passed into Law, Abia state is going to make a name .
Barrister Alozie, disclosed that the law will protect both the women and the men, adding that, when this bill is passed into Law, it is going to make for a better society.