A non-governmental, pan-African association has sent a message to the families of the girls and young women who were raped in the last two weeks, insisting that justice has to be done and countries work harder to find lasting solutions to the societal scourge.
The group – Working Moms Africa – in a press statement on Tuesday, said: “For several weeks, we have watched and listened with sadness about gender-based violence.
“The horrendous rape and murder of 22-year-old Uwaila Vera Omuzuwa in Benin, extra-judicial killing of 16-year-old Tina Ezekwe by two Police officers in Lagos, the 12 year old girl raped in Jigawa, 18-year-old Jennifer gang-raped in Kaduna by 5 men and recent rape of a 6-year-old girl in North West South Africa.”
The body assured the families of continued support and pressure on the Nigeria Police Force to ensure perpetrators face the full wrath of the law.
“In these moments of despair and harrowing act that was committed against you, please know that Moms Africa is standing with you all in solidarity. We at Working Moms Africa call upon the Nigerian Police to investigate this horrific murder and ensure the perpetrators face the full wrath of the law.”
While the group conceded that the nation and society had failed the victims, it encouraged sufferers, survivors and victims to speak up.
“To Uwavera, Tina, Jennifer and others, it’s not your fault and yes, Nigeria failed you. The only people at fault are the individuals who choose to abuse their power to harass, threaten and harm women like they have harmed you.
“We wish we could say we’re shocked to learn that this is such a pervasive problem in our country; unfortunately we’re not surprised because it’s a reality we know far too well. Countless of women across Nigeria and Africa at large suffer in silence because of societal shaming, victim blaming, religious secrecy, police negligence, cultural hush-hush, legal injustice, and personal blame/shame.
“As women, we share the common experience of being preyed upon by individuals we trust who threaten our very existence. Who will believe me if I speak up? becomes the reality of victims.
“To the rape survivors, we understand the hurt, the confusion and betrayal you might feel while carrying the fear and shame resulting from this violence. It sits on our back like oppressive weight.”