Rape: NAWOJ Demands Death Penalty … Calls for Action on FGM

Spurred by the recent Lagos State government’s death-penalty pronouncement on kidnappers, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Lagos State Chapter, has called on the Federal Government and all state governments to pass same penalty on rapist.

In a communiqué signed by the Lagos NAWOJ Chairperson, Hajia Sekinah Lawal, at the association’s February Congress, held in Ikeja, Lagos, the group commended the State House of Assembly and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for backing death penalty for kidnappers in the state.

They, however, noted that rape is also a big problem in the country.

The communiqué reads in part: “The Police and parents should be ready to report and follow cases of rape to the letter.

“Mothers should make sure their grown-up girls are well dressed as a strategy to curb rape, while those found guilty should be sentenced to death in order to serve as deterrent to others.”

Lagos NAWOJ also called on Federal and state governments to urgently do something about the economy and tackle high inflation.

The association also bemoan the difficulty in accessing drugs, medical care and food items.

Similarly, members expressed concern over the likelihood of emergence of fake drugs due to unavailability of the originals.

The group also commended the first lady, Hajia Aisha Buhari for the women empowerment programme through vocational trainings and called for more empowerment programmes for unemployed graduates and women.