Minister Decries Violence On Women, Children

November 22, 2004 - (This Day - Lagos) Minister for Women Affairs Obong Rita Akpan, has expressed displeasure at the recent mayhem in Anambra state where property worth millions of naira was destroyed stressing that as usual women and children are at the receiving end in every conflict situation.

Addressing pressmen in Abuja the minister admonished the vandals and questioned the rationale behind the destruction of property belonging to harmless and already over burdened women of Anambra state and by extension Nigeria's women.

She emphasized that over the years women have always been the losers in any conflict situation. "They loose their loved ones, the peace and quiet of their community, their self worth and confidence, their meager means of livelihoods, their integrity and honor as women and many times their lives. When will Nigerians stop violence against women?" she said.

Akpan said every state in this country has a women development center where women undergo various kinds of training to add value to their lives, where researchers and documentation and are supposed to be undertaken on women. It is a known fact that these centers were built with women's money and for women of this country.

"Unfortunately, some misinformed, selfish miscreants in Anambra state with their sadistic propensity for destruction of not only property but also human lives decided to burn down such priority. I condemn this in its entirety."

Reminding Nigerians that a bill on violence against women will soon become law she enjoined everyone to respect the laws of the land when implemented. urging Nigerians to always embrace dialogue instead of violence she said

"Violence has never solved any problem, lets all give peace a chance so that we can enjoy this democracy."

From: http://allafrica.com/stories/200411220564.html