The Anambra government has called on residents of the state to shun gender-based violence (GBV), reminding the people that it is a criminal offence punishable by law.
 
Ify Obinabo, the state commissioner for women and social welfare, gave the warning on Tuesday in Awka at the end of the 16-day activism to commemorate Human Rights Day, which started on November 25.
 
“All forms of gender-based violence, such as wife battery, child abuse, rape, and depriving widows of their rights, among others, remain criminal offences that are punishable by imprisonment.
 
“Therefore, we have to do away with such acts and others in order to prevent GBV,” she said.
 
Ms Obinabo said that there was a need to sensitise the people on GBV in order to prevent the dangers associated with the act.
 
According to her, this is because women and children are mostly affected in the case of GBV.
 
She said that the Anambra State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee on Prevention of GBV (MAP-GBV) collaborated with the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare to achieve the feat.
 
Ms Obinabo said that they collectively organised a street rally as part of activities to mark the 2024 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
 
Obinna Nmaduforo, the state coordinator, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and Sheriff Olanrewaju, chairman of the Muslim arm of MAP-GBV, thanked Governor Chukwuma Soludo for supporting the measures against GBV in the state.
 
Suzana Adibe, a resident of Awka, also commended the state government for initiating action against what she described as the intimidation of women.
 
Ms Adibe said that the sensitisation against GBV was a social issue that needs to be taken to the rural areas where many women have no voice.
 
The street rally, which also received the support of ActionAid, took off from Aroma Junction through Nkwo Amaenyi Market to Eke-Awka and then terminated at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University junction, all in Awka.
 
The participants who joined from different ministries and agencies in the state shared flyers during the sensitisation to the public on the consequences of all forms of gender-based violence and the need to speak up in order to receive justice.
 
 
(NAN)