From Adamu Shehu Bauchi
Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Bauchi State chapter, has called for stiffer punishment to those engaged in rape of young girls and women across the country.
State chairperson of the association Afsa Bulak, made the call shortly after a peaceful demonstration in solidarity of the recent victims of rape cases in Nigeria.
Chairperson stressed the need for Nigerian legislatures at all levels to enact a law that will deal with cases of rape squarely, so as to serve as deterrent to others.
Bulak also said “we are concerned because these girls are our daughters, sisters and brothers, the boys are also involved in rape cases, we are calling on all stakeholders the issue of rape concerns everybody, we must come together to fight this evil that is gradually taking over.”
“Before we are hearing boko haram, kidnappings but in recent times we hear rape, and the rape that is going on is incest, a father raping his daughter, an Uncle raping his niece, children of three years, four years, five years old, even three months, a lady in her Hijab is raped , a lady in her short skirt is raped, our communities, our societies are sick, today we call on Nigerians to say no to rape,” she said.
Zonal Secretary of the association, Hajiya Halima Maigari said rape has become a household name.
“I call for a family court to be established because some of these problems when you take them to the formal court it becomes a problem, but once we have family court where this incest are being settled and adjudicated upon, this will go a long way. I will also call for the adoption of the ‘Child’s Right Act’ because it will give more meaning, more ground for children to be protected, mothers, wards, guardians, please be on the alert.”
