By: Edem Archibong, Calabar
The people of Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State jubilated with fanfare on weekend in celebration of the emergence of WARIF (a Non Governmental organization) known as Women At Risk International Foundation based in Lagos but came to Akamkpa Local Government Area to launch a campaign against all forms of gender based violence because of alleged higher prevalence cases of gender based violence in the area.
Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state is considered the richest Local Government in Cross River State, known to be predominantly an Ejagam Speaking Communities with respect for moral decadence rise in total acceptability of the WARIF sensitization/Campaign against gender based violence mostly sexual violence such as rape and men battering their wives.
Speaking with media practitioners soon after the Town Hall meeting/Seminar in Akamkpa Local Government Area, the Program Manager, Princess Felicia Ikpo revealed that they have mounted a two days Sensitization Rally round Akamkpa Urban through the Stakeholders like, the Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders, Youths Group and the Women across all strata who confirmed that gender based violence is very rampant in the area but often time being concealed due to stigmatization or traditional belief .
She further explained that Akamkpa Local Government Area have so many gender based violence which were not reported in the past except very few that have been reported to the police but more often, the police in the area will compromise and release the suspect back into the society to brag while the people get discouraged.
Princess Ikpo also claims that very few cases of gender based violence in the area have been reported to the police and the suspect prosecuted in the law court in Calabar which is now in awaiting trial in Calabar Correctional Center.
Speaking during the Town Hall meeting/Seminar to introduce the meaning of Gender Based Violence as the keynote Speaker, M.s Veronica Eshue Abue explained that it’s any harm act done to someone because of their gender status. This can happen at home, work place, schools and in Communities including forceful sex between husband and wife.
Abue who introduce herself as a Teacher recounted the many types of violence to includes: physical violence, sexual violence, harmful traditional practices such as forced marriage, widowhood rituals, honour killing, dowry-related rites and femicide.
Others form of gender based violence are emotional violence which includes the use fouls or vulgar language against a woman or man and the economic violence which is the denial of a woman an access to money, education or work place right and privileges.
In his brief interaction with the media practitioners soon after the town hall meeting, the Clan Head of Nsia-Aya Community which is one of the community that own Akamkpa Urban area, Ntufam Michael Asuquo Offiong who represented his Clan Head and a retired member of the UN research Institute from Ekerbe North Clan confirm that the awareness created through WARIF sensitization has help to raise awareness amongst the people because of the WARIF sensitization in the area.
He promise that with the high standards of sensitization adopted by the WARIF, he strongly hope and belief that the scourge will reduce in the area to a near zero level while appealing to the WARIF not to relax until total eradication because Akamkpa Local Government is largely characterize with strangers due to it economic viability.