As Nigerians and others all over the world continue to observe the stay at home order, following the increasing rate of Covid 19, there are reports of increase in domestic violence and cases of rape since the Covid 19 lockdown began.
A Port Harcourt based Woman Right Activist Doris Onyenkwe, told our reporters that thousands of cases of violence against Women and Girls are being reported daily, and there is need for concern on the issue.
She said that violence against Women and Girls have increased, stating that they receive emergency calls daily for women calling for rescue ” come and rescue me. Come and see what is happening in my home. My husband has bartard me”
She ,further said that they also receive calls of rape, especially around Diobu axis of Port Harcourt. She explained that due to the stay at home order, men now get irritated. Probably because there is no work and there is no finance. According to her, it should have been an opportunity to relate well with your spouse.
The Right Activist Doris Onyenkwe is also calling on men to see their wives as partners in progress, adding that the reality presented by Covid 19 pandemic should be a unifying factor rather than to create problems.
“Men should try to understand the role of women in their lives, that is why we preach gender equality. If you see her as your equal, as your friend and as a partner, you will always be happy to stay with her. But if you see her as a parasite, someone that is always coming to beg for money, someone that is bothering and pestering your life. You get it all wrong and you will keep quarreling and fighting with her”
Onyenkwe further advised women to marry their friend. She explained that even if there is no money, both of them can manage and stay together.
She revealed that as an organization, they want to raise the awareness that gender base violence is high within this period of Covid 19.
In a related development, the Civil Liberty Organization, CLO in Rivers State has urged Rivers State Government and Security Agencies to redouble their strategies at this time of lockdown so as to guarantee protection of lives and property.
Chairman of the organization Sotonye George in an interview with our reporters advised government and security agencies to be proactive so that hoodlums will not take advantage of the situation at the moment to invade homes like they did in Lagos State.
