Zamani Foundation leads Sit-out Action in Kaduna Over Defilement, Death of 14 Years old Girl in Lagos
By Alex Uangbaoje, Kaduna
Chief Executive Officer/Founder of Zamani Foundation, Talatu Zamani–Henry, on Thursday, led a Sit-out action protest against the rape, defilement and death of 14 years old Obiamaka Ngozichukwu, in Abue Ado area of Lagos.
Addressing a crowd of protester in Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, Mrs. Talatu said the issue of rape or defilement has become a cause for concern with its increase and an obvious lack of persecution of rapists and defilers in Nigeria.
She explained that the decent defilement and death of 14 years old Obiamaka, has necessitated a simultaneous SIT-OUT across 9 States of; Lagos, Imo, Enugu, Kaduna, Benue, Gombe, Rivers , Delta and Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) Abuja.
Talatu, lamenters that despite the enactment of Law against rape and defilement at the federal level called Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, domesticated in Lagos State of Which the law stipulates life imprisonment or jail term of not less than 14 years with adequate financial compensation, yet culture of silence and shame, religious interferences and official inaction has interfered with the justice system.
“We are calling on the government to do something against this. Rape or defilement has far reaching consequences to the survivor and victim’s family.
“We call on all to support this SIT-OUT action. Black on black symbolizes pain, hurt and grief of the violation of babies and children and women. She added.
The Sit out protest was organized by Women Situation Room Nigeria, a Program of Women International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) Nigeria in partnership with Alliance Against Domestic Violence and Abuse ( AADVA), and implemented and coordinated in Kaduna by Zamani Foundation.
AADVA is made up of various NGO’s and Citizens Citizens – spearheaded by ACTS Generation who believes more is achieved with ONE VOICE.
Talatu, who also doubles as the North West Coordinator for WSRN and National Coordinator of WILPF Nigeria, said the objective of the protest was to create awareness on the growing incidence of rape and advocate for action on VAPP with a demand for justice for Obiamaka.
At the end of the protest, a public lecture and counseling session on rape was held at Zamani Foundation’s office.
In her presentation, Mrs Comfort Bangoji, a counselor and rape therapist, spoke on the danger of sex before marriage and the effects of rape and child molestation.
She noted that any sexual act carried out on another person without their consent is rape.
Bangoji, added that it is evil and an act of wickedness to rape, saying, ” whatever you do to people will come back to you or your children.
“Sex is a beautiful thing when you are married, you have no right to rape anybody. And when somebody is raped, don’t abandon the victim, bring them close to you and advice them.”
