Chinedum Treasure
A Family Law Expert at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, (NAU), Dr Helen Obi, has condemned the rising incidents of domestic violence in Anambra State.
Obi was reacting to recent incident of one Sunday Nwana, resident of Eziezekwe village, Abagana, Njikoka Local Government Area, who allegedly set his wife ablaze over marital infidelity.
The tragic incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening, escalated after the suspect accused his wife of having an affair. Chioma, who sustained severe burns, was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to her injuries on Wednesday morning.
Addressing newsmen in Awka, Obi, a former Chairperson of International Federation of Women Lawyer, (FIDA), regretted that domestic violence has continued in Anambra despite sustained campaign against it by government and non-governmental actors.
She said, “Gender based violence is a cankerworm eating deep into our social fabrics. My appeal is to our men to let the women breathe because they are often the perpetrators while women are the victims.
“To my fellow women, I am saying that marriage is not the end of life and when you see warning signs of violence, things are not going on well, leave alive. It is better to be alive than to stay put and become a dead person. There is nothing like stigma anymore.
“Women of Anambra should take advantage of government and NGO platforms meant to help them. Before people don’t speak out, but because of faith in what the governor and his wife are doing, people are speaking out. We thank the Governor’s wife for the assurance to ensure that justice is done”.
The woman leader pointed out that the entire women of Oraifite, in Ekwusigo LGA, where the victim hailed from, were sad about the development and are looking forward to the state government to ensure that justice is served.
“Oraifite women are not happy over this matter and are making plan to meet with government on the matter. However, we are particularly thankful to the wife of the governor for the assurance to ensure that justice is served.
“I encourage them to stop at nothing not only to ensure that justice is done but is actually seen to have been done in this matter.”
Obi also warned women to be wary of what they say or do in marriage which she noted can also trigger violence. “We are asking women to stop violence against men.
When you are violent against a man, he may use his physical strength against you. However, men must equally realize that women in Nigeria have come to know their rights.
She noted the growing cases of mental health disorder as a result of economic hardship all over the world.
“Mental health issues are affecting increasing number of people in the society now. It is not only those wearing rags on the street that are mad.
“The economic situation all over the world has put everyone in a fix and aggravates frustration. It has put people in the state of quagmire. The next person to you might be having a lot of mental health disorder without you knowing,” she advised.
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