By Turning Point Reporters
Following the Commemoration of International Day for the Girl Child across the globe today,International Federation of women lawyers has identified “Rape” among other things as one of the greatest challenges facing the Girl child in recent times calling on states in Nigeria to implement relevant laws that will help curtail the urgly manace in our society to the nearest minimum.
The state chairperson of International Federation of women lawyers in Ebonyi state,Mrs.Grace Iheanacho Chima disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Abakaliki recently.
According to Mrs. Chima, uncountable number of rape cases of children between the ages of 9 months to 7 years are recorded on daily bases in various parts of the state as a result poor parental care and inability of government to domesticate and implement relevant sections of Nigeria constitution to put a stop to this ugly menace posing danger to our society today.
Mrs.Chima further stated that not only that there is increase in rape cases, child trafficking, Gender based violence,poor educational background, early marriage,stigmatization amongst other things are challenges facing girl child in contemporary times and needed to be given adequate attention by government authorities and other non governmental organizations in order to have a better society.
Also speaking,Mrs.Chinelo Augustina Okeke who also serves as the secretary of the organization lamented that most parents has failed to discharg their responsibilities and even expose their children to be raped inorder to receive Compensation from the defaulter, calling on government and relevant bodies to immediately assist to provide Sexual assault referral centres in all the local government areas to facilitate the dispensation of Justice to rape victims because the rigorous process in handling such cases presently in court is really posing serious challenge to Victims of rape and gender based violence, thereby, delaying and denying them justice when reported.
Narrating her ordeal,one of the rape victims and her mother who wouldn’t want their names mentioned narrated how a pastor who sent her 7 years old daughter to buy a pure water raped her and inflicted injuries on her, urging parents to wake up to their responsibility in taking care of their children and also government should put adequate laws to stop rape and ensure that victims of rape get justice in court.
