Mrs Ikpeazu condemns gender-based violence, tasks Journalists on objective reportage Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, Umuahia

The Wife of the Governor of Abia, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu, has
raised concern on the rising cases of rape and other gender bases violence against women in Nigeria.

She also urged the Nigeria media  to give priority attention to issues of gender based violence in their news reportage.

Ikpeazu made the call while in Umuahia the state capital,  about the activities marking "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence."

The16 Days of Activism is an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girl.

She described violence against women and girl as "a problem of pandemic proportions" and urged the media  to join in the struggle to address it.

She said, "We need to put out issues of Gender Based Violence in the public space so that it be seen in the right perspective.

"In addition, the Gender Based Violence demands responsible reportage.

"We need to tell stories of abuse correctly, and appropriately."

According to her, at least one out of every three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex or mutilated.

"The forms of violence against women and girls include rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment, female genital mutilation, dowry-related abuse, marriage by abduction, forced marriage, and child marriage," Mrs Ikpeazu said.

She said that this year's theme "Generation Equality" suggested that  men and women had come together to raise consciousness to end all forms of gender-based violence.

She commended the Abia House of Assembly for giving accelerated hearing to the bill on Violence Against Persons Prohibition, with a view to giving it a speedy passage.

"This shows that the House of Assembly is committed to the protection of the lives and rights of the people of Abia State and we as a coalition will continue to throw our unreserved support behind these legislative processes and our legislators," she said further.

Mrs Ikpeazu, who is the President of Vicar Hope Foundation, announced that her foundation had created a Gender-Based Violence Response Desk to complement efforts by partners and support groups.