Caritas Condemns Violence Against Women

• Violence

Caritas Nigeria, a Non Governmental Organisation, (NGO) says regular condemnation of violence against women in the society will attract more attention to the practise.

Mr Aneni Charles, Programme Specialist, Gender Services of the group stated this on Sunday in Abuja at the end of the 16 days of activism against gender based violence, Eko hot blog gathered.

Charles said that every member of the society must show committment in changing the ways women were been treated in the society.

“And while we as men listen to truth in this period, let us remember that talking about it and exposing the evil will bring about the change.

It’s about ensuring that there is equity in your work places, schools, churches and every aspect of the society.

“It is aslo about dismantling patriarchy by supporting women into positions of leadership,” he said.

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According to him, it’s about speaking truth to our brothers, fathers, sons when they transgress. We cannot change the world by just repainting it.

“We must tear down the systems that support a society where men can wreak such evil on women

”And put a stop to all forms of gender based violence whether is intimate partner violence, female genital mutilation-(we say no to it), rape, sexual assault, child marriage, we say no,” he said.

He however advised men to support the girl-child to achieve her full potentialities.

” If we all do these, even from the family level, the world would be a better place for all of us,” he added.

While calling on government at all levels to be more responsive, to see gender based violence as an epidemic and also a pandemic that requires urgent attention, Charles urged governments to create a Gender Based Violence (GBV) response unit.

According to him, the GBV response unit should comprise of the police, military, lawyers, medical personnel, counselors and justice system that will ensure prompt response.

Angela Odunekwe, Secretary General, National Association of Catholic Lawyers, also advised women who had been abused to speak up and seek for help.

”If something happens to you and you keep it to yourself, nobody will know and you are indirectly telling whosoever has commited it to do same to another person.

”But when you say what has happened to you, you may be able to address the issue of another person,” she added.