The President of Vision Africa International, Bishop Sunday Ndukwu Onuoha said the organisation would partner National Human Rights Commission to curb the issue of gender based violence especially in Abia State. To this end, Bishop Onuoha stress the need for relevant stakeholders to come together and chat a new course on how to reduce the menace of gender based violence.
Bishop Onuoha disclose this while hosting investigation officers on 16 day activism from National Human Rights Commission, Umuahia, who came on advocacy visit as part of their activities to mark the 2021 International day against gender based vioence. He added that faith leaders, heads of media organisations, community leaders and the police should be involved as think tank group to give the public proper orientation on how to reduce all forms of violence against women and girls.
While thanking the Human Rights officers for identifying with Vision Africa, Bishop Onuoha reminded them that the primary call of Vision Africa is to touch and transform lives.
“You know president generals are powerful in their places, so, we need to bring them, the police, clergymen and heads of media organisations, and with you coming in, we will achieve alot to stop this mess”
I don’t want to see another girl defiled, so to me, prevention is better”.
Chief operating officer, Vision Africa International, Barrister Sarafina Nwokenta stressed the need to create more awareness about the commission, dedication of special phone numbers people can use to reach them easily. According to her, issues of domestic violence should not be treated as family matter.
Earlier in his speech, the leader of the delegation, Barrister Obinna Maduforo revealed that a lot of horrible things are happening in Abia concerning gender based vioence ranging from defilement of minor, harmful widowhood practice, spouse bartering among others.
Barrister Maduforo however, noted that women and girls suffer most in all the gender based violence cases and therefore, solicited the support of Vision Africa to sensitive the public on the activities of the commission.
“My Lord Bishop, we have two case currently from Ibeku and most cases of child abuse are coming from Ohuhu as well as Ikwuano especially Oboro part. So, we are here on two capacities, one as a respected man of God and as a person that owns a radio station to use other offices you are into and help us tell people the punishment under child defilement, harmful widowhood practice etc”.
