Gift A Child Initiative, a non-governmental organization in Benin City, Edo State in collaboration with four other NGOs , weekend called on the federal and state governments to step up appropriate laws to end rape and all forms of sexual and gender based violence in the country.
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gift A Child. Miss Deborah Ajayi Eseni, who made the call at joint rcampaign against rape in Benin City, stressed that “it is high time more stringent national actions were taken to ensure that members of the public take the issue of rape and all forms of sexual violence without consent with the seriousness it deserves.”
Deborah Ajayi, who spoke to newsmen, disclosed that her NGO decided to partner with others to reawaken the consciousness that rape is not only bad but evil and wicked, hence the concerted efforts to sensitise the public on the inherent danger of rape and challenged relevant stakeholders to join the fight and crusade against rape and sexual violence in the society.
Also speaking at the campaign, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Shoe A Child Foundation, Miss Faith Omodiale lamented that Nigeria has witnessed steady increase of rape incidence in the last one week describing the development as very worrisome.
Miss Omodiale added that the protest and rally was to create the awareness about the danger of rape and the need to end the menace, stressing that “this rally is aimed at addressing and speaking to the consciousness of those who take pleasure in raping our women and to tell them that it’s time to quit”.
On her part, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Development Education Campaign, Miss Oluwafemike Gift Ajayi, harped on the psychological trauma victims of rape through which, according to her, “sometimes end in death is enough reasons to end the menace “.
The protesters therefore appealed to mothers to bring up their children in the fear of God.
The rally had as participants young boys and girls and they displayed placards with inscriptions such as, ” Say no to rape”, “All rapists must face the law”, “No means no”, ” Real men don’t rape”, and others.
