By ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA
In marking this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the National Association of Seadogs (NAS) aka Pyrates Confraternity (PC), Vito Corsica Deck joined the rest of the world to celebrate this year’s International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women on Wednesday 25th November, 2020.
The Vito Corsica Deck of NAS featured on a Radio talk (Radio Delta 97.9FM) and deliberated on issues about gender based violence and ways to reduce violence against women and girl child.
The Deck also visited the Anglican Girls Grammar School (AGGS) Asaba, to sensitize the pupils.
At the Radio Talk Show, Barr. Jude Obidi and Comrade Abel Johngold represented the Vito Corsica Deck, were the duo elaborated the position of NAS on the elimination of violence against women.
Barr. Jude Obidi opined that the menace of “Gender based violence was a universal thing and is not applicable to women alone. It happens to men also.
He encouraged the victims to speak up and call for government to take the issue of violence against women seriously. This issue effects everyone because women are very important to our society.
Johngold on the other hand, noted that “as a global human rights and advocacy organisation, the National Association of Seadogs, Pyrates Confraternity, has often reiterated that the issues of rape, domestic abuse, and workplace assault have been on the increase. Unfortunately, the Nigerian government efforts have not been responsive enough to mete out punishment to perpetrators of those crimes. Moreover there is also a near absence of victim support and compensation for the ridiculously small number of cases being prosecuted”.
“To ‘act the talk’, NAS chapters worldwide are holding radio and television talk-shows, lectures, and roadshows with leaflets to sensitize the public on this gender-based violent act that gravely violates women and girl’s rights. Our main goal is to bring the issue to the front burner of public discourse to encourage victims to confront their victimisation by speaking up and to discourage would-be assailants”. He added.
At the Anglican Girls Grammar School,. Asaba, the Vito Corsica Deck Capoon Dr. John Emethilue called on the government to make policies or pass into law, bills to protect women and girls against all forms of abuse.
“Our educational curriculum must be reformulated to include the teaching of young children in primary and secondary schools on the dangers of violence against women in order for the boys and girls to grow up with the conscious understanding of these dangers, and as grownups, the women will be imbued with courage and confidence to speak out when they encounter such issues”. Dr. Emethilue stated
Dr. Emethilue disclosed that the United Nations (UN) Women highlights that violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread and gravely human rights violations in the world today. Its impact ranges from immediate to long-term physical, sexual, and mental consequences, including death. Violence against women and girls does not only negatively affect their general well-being and prevent them from fully participating in society, but it also affects their families, communities, and countries, with its attendant tremendous costs from healthcare and legal expenses to losses in productivity and impacts on national budgets and development.