A veteran journalist and rights activist, Mrs. Cecilia Nwachukwu, has raised the alarm over increasing abuse of women and children in the country, saying lack of adequate attention on issues affecting them may affect the peace and prosperity of the nation if not halted immediately.
Speaking with journalists on recent developments concerning women and children, she expressed disappointment that the government had not done much in addressing the issue.
According to her, this has led to an upsurge in crimes against these very important segments of the society, arguing that this was most unfortunate as the nation was literally toying with her future by looking the other way.
Women and children, according to her, suffer rape, forceful marriage, kidnapping, genital mutilation and lots more.
‘’As a veteran journalist who has covered issues relating to these critical sectors, I can say authoritatively that in the last three years, we have recorded an increasing rate in issues affecting them, such that we had to refer such matters to organisations that can help due to financial constraints.
“On October 5, 2023 for instance, I and a few others had to take up the matter of one Esther Nwaneri whose in-laws attempted to force to drink water from the body of a corpse to prove that she did not kill her husband.
“A similar scenario befell one Mrs. Oyeronke Kareem-Akindele and her three children-Aishat, Abdulfatai and Fathia on February 12, 2024 in Lagos.
“I, along with some NGOs had to step in to stop her in-laws from attempting to forcefully circumcise the children, inflicting both mental and psychological pain on them in the process.
“Ever since, Oyeronke Kareem Akindele and her children have not been located by our team and other well-wishers.
This year, we have also handled more cases, including that of a toddler whose step-mother inflicted burns on her with a pressing iron,” she said.
