The Etinan Local Government Gender Based Violence Response Unit in collaboration with the State Ministry of Justice has ended a month long campaign with a sensitization visit to The Apostolic Church Nigeria, Ikot Akpabio district.
The delegation led by the wife of the chairman of Etinan Local Government Area, Mrs Emily Uko Umoh, took time to educate the people on the laws of Akwa Ibom state that is against gender violence.
Addressing the worshippers, the resource person, Barr (Mrs) Emem Ette highlighted gender based violence to include verbal abuse, physical abuse, rape, maltreatment of widows, divorce, acid or hot water bathe as well as spiking of food and drinks.
According to her, these crimes carry different jail sentences raging from two years to life imprisonment.
Barr Ette called for the re-introduction of Jesus to our children as well as a proper upbringing that will instill fear, respect and love in the lives of our children.
She also warned against what she described as ‘hire purchase marriage’ where the female child goes to live and give birth to children for a man that has not married her properly.
“This kind of marriage is what leads to abuses in marriage and if the woman leaves the marriage, she leaves empty handed even when she had contributed to the building of the home”
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of Etinan Local Government Area, Hon Imaobong Michael, said the law is no respecter of persons no matter how highly placed in the society.
She stressed that violence can lead to the death of a partner which will affect the children on the long run and urged all to stop the gender based violence now.
” Wives should not conceal the evil deeds of their partner against their female children and men are also suffering from domestic violence as well. The action word is STOP IT NOW”
In her remarks, Mrs Emily Uko Umoh, bemoaned the high level of incest in families which has led to lost of lives of female children.
She narrated a case where a father consistently abused his daughter sexually and got her pregnant and in attempt to conceal the pregnancy the family opted for an abortion that resulted in the untimely death of the girl child.
“My appeal is that let it not happen because if it happens, the long arm of the law will catch up with the perpetrators”
The awareness campaign also featured the distribution of wrappers to widows in The Apostolic Church as well as those from the nine villages from Northern Iman Ward 2.
The theme for the 2025 awareness was STANDING TOGETHER AGAINST GENDER BASED VIOLENCE.
Those who attended the sensitization visit include Hon. Imaobong Okokon, Hon. Dinah Mbat, Hon. Nse Sambo, Hon. Deborah Umana, Hon. Udeme Ekaenang Sup. For Women Affairs, Mrs Inimbom Ignatius Edet Director of SDEISC, Mfonobong Akpan, Social Welfare Officer,Rt.Hon Eno Okoko of National Council of Women Societies and Mrs Kufre Isong Udom Woman leader APC and Others
