The International President of the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA), Mrs Amanda Asagba, has called for public sensitisation on the rights of women as well as the ills of gender-based violence.

Asagba made the call on Friday as part of activities marking the 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence which began on Nov. 25 and will run till Dec. 10.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos, Asagba underscored the need for public enlightenment on the occurrences and dangers of violence against women.

The  16 days of activism popularly known as “Orange Days” is an annual international campaign aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls.

It also seeks to create awareness of human rights as well as access to justice to protect and enforce these rights.

The 2021 theme is “Orange The World: End Violence Against Women Now!”

According to Asagba, the sensitisation programmes should focus on creating awareness on the institutions that are particularly charged with the protection of women’s rights.

She said that this would prove to be a useful tool to combat the menace and reduce the rate of victimization in the country.

“The government in conjunction with custodians of culture; traditional heads, faith-based organisations and NGOs can carry out these awareness programmes.

“We at AWLA, propose a one-stop centre to deal with victims of violence from rescue to rehabilitation and reintegration.

“Additionally, there is the need to strengthen law enforcement agencies for the arrest, prosecution and reporting of the cases of violence in court.

“This would serve as a deterrence to the general public from repeating the offences.

“There is also the need to strengthen community report of cases of violence against women and girls and provide security and welfare for victims and their immediate family.

“This is essential in order to eradicate the culture of silence, shame and compromise, that shrouds the incidence of violence against women and girls,” she said

Asagba harped on the need for accelerated hearing of domestic violence cases, and frowned at pending cases of defilement which she said, often took lengths of time.

She blamed the lack of reportage of cases of defilement on some incidences of delays in gaining access to justice, adding that same must be nipped in the bud.

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“Institutions such as the Judiciary, the Police, Legal Aid, NAPTIP, Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, AWLA, FIDA, amongst others, can work together to complement the government’s efforts in this regards,” she said

Asagba said that this would help to provide and ensure justice as well as also protect the rights of women all over Nigeria and indeed, the world.