Bauchi Women Vow To Fight Against Rape Cases

…Calls for support from victims, parents 

BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – A Bauchi based women Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) on the aegis of ‘High Level Women Advocates (HILWA)’, has declared war against what it described as the rampant incidences of rapes of under-aged children as well as other gender based violence in the state.

The Women NGO also encouraged victims of such violence and their parents to be courageous in coming out publicly to state the situation so that the group can come to their aid in all ways possible.

Speaking with Journalists as part of a special program to celebrate the 2021 children’s day, a member of HILWA, Mrs Hauwa Jibrin Esq, expressed the determination of members of the group to ensure that rights of the child are respected no matter what.

During the seminar for schools children organized by HILWA in conjunction with the Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and supported by the United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) as part of activities marking this year’s children’s day celebration, HILWA declared that the era of keeping quiet has gone.

Jibrin also said that the NGO is more concerned about rape cases especially the ones involving under aged girls, saying that they would take serious actions including court against perpetrators of such heinous acts.

She appealed to parents to cooperate by not concealing such cases and allowing the prosecution of the rapists to serve as deterrence to others.

According to her; “Some victims and their families feel shy to expose the acts. It is only when the matter is reported to the appropriate authorities that the menace can be addressed.

“They should be able to speak it out. If they speak, we will be able to tell the government. There are a lot of rape cases and they all affected the children. We are telling the girls, if they are abused, they should not be shy. They should come out boldly to tell us. Hiding it will not solve the problem. If they tell us, we will be able to fight for their rights”.

Commenting on the purpose of the seminar, Jibrin said; “Going to the stadium to participate in the march pass is only ceremonial which does not bring out any benefits to the children, but here, they will be engaged in brainstorming so that they can come out with solutions to some of the problems facing them”.