DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Victims are of both gender, as Women express worries

Oru Leonard

Stakeholders who participated in a two day workshop on domestic violence themed “Curbing The Menace of Domestic Violence”, organised by the Federal Ministry of Women in collaboration with Prime Unique Women Initiative has brought to the fore that women are not victims involved domestic violence.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, Tuesday, said curbing domestic violence requires the concerted and collective effort of all stakeholders, especially women leaders who double as mothers in their states.

Tallen who noted that domestic violence keeps increasing every day, leaving victims either greatly traumatized or even dead expressed urgent desire to see a significant decline in the menace.

“Domestic violence can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, income, or other factors, she pointed out that it became really worrisome at the onset of the pandemic when there was a spike in the reported cases.

“Statistics has it that every 9 seconds a woman is assaulted or beaten. 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence during her lifetime, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

“Domestic violence is the third leading cause of homelessness among families. 7 million children live in families in which severe partner violence occurred. More than 3 million children witness domestic violence in their homes every year. Domestic victimization is correlated with a higher rate of depression and suicidal behaviour”, she stated.

She stated that the workshop was designed to equip every participant with the requisite knowledge and skills to decisively put an end to the evil that is ‘targeted at dehumanizing our citizenry especially the women folk’, and urged women leaders to lead conversations to end menace.

She urged every participant to take this workshop seriously and decide to become agents of change in their states to combat the evil that domestic violence portends against our fellow women and their children.

“I am using this occasion to call on every Nigerian woman represented by the participants to take up this task and ensure that people are adequately educated and engage all the mechanisms provided to ensure that cases of domestic violence are not only frowned at but they are thoroughly dealt with so we can all be guaranteed a safe and secure environment for all”, she stated.

Chairman of the occasion. Senator Mohammed Bima Enagi also applauded the the efforts of the Ministry of Women Affairs.
“Violence should be condemned in all ramifications even though in many Cultures once pride price is paid the woman is seen as the man’s property.

“Violence had also entered the Cyber world he said and recommended it  should be checked.
“The response to violence must be immediate, coordinated and persecuted.
He also stressed that women should not be seen as mere objects but mother’s, sisters and daughters”, Bima stressed.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Anthonia Ekpa in her remarks, noted that domestic violence affects both gender, adding however, that records show women are most affected.

She noted that domestic violence is on both gender but from records women are most affected.  She urged women to rise up and fight the domestic violence.
She raised an important question.
What women do women? Ambassador Ekpa asked.

She also expressed hope the the two day interaction will offer much to the women especially on the emotional intelligence and the positive impact it will offer the country and applauded the Prime Unique Women Initiatives for collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs in the 2-Day workshop on Domestic Violence.

Speaking, The President/ Convener Prime Unique Women Initiative,  Dr. Mrs Folake Yobah noted that Covid-19 brought out muster in human beings which increased the domestic violence mostly women from 25% to more than 60%.

She said there is a need to step up action against domestic violence of all kinds, as domestic violence does not relate to women alone and that age is not a barrier. She urged citizens to always check their mental fitness.