‘ Cases of rape rise to 84% in Nigeria’

CASES of rape have gone up from 12.5 per cent to 84 per cent in Nigeria.
Revealing this on Thursday, in Ibadan, Dr (Mrs) Omolara Smith, President, Zonta Club II, Ibadan, said violence against women had become more rampant and called on the government to enact appropriate laws to serve as deterrence to culprits.
Smith, who was addressing journalists on activities organised by Zonta Club to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Gender-Based Violence, said, “violence against women and children in Nigeria has challenged us to act in solidarity to promote and end violence against women and girls. Over the years, cases of rape and other violence against women have been on the increase. It is our view that this can only be reduced or eradicated with proper legislation and stiff penalty.”
Smith, who disclosed that the global theme of the international day was “From peace in the home to peace in the world,” added that violence against women was something that should be abhorred by everyone in the society.
According to the Zonta boss, “Violence can lead to extreme physical, mental and psychological condition or even death, it can take place domestically, in the public or as part of community conflicts.”
While advising women and girls to be wary of the company they kept, Dr Smith said, “Women are more likely to be victimised by someone they are intimate with.”
The Zonta president revealed that the activities earmarked by the organisation to sensitise members of the public against victimising women and girls would span 16 days.