The Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Edo branch, has advised women in the state to report any form of violence against them to appropriate authorities for prompt action.
The state’s Chairperson of MWAN, Dr Adesuwa Urhoghide-Edigin, gave the advice in an interview in Benin on Thursday in commemoration of the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls.
The theme for this year’s international day is “Orange the World: End Violence Against Women Now”, aimed at ending violence against women and girls.
She said “MWAN has organized a lot to awareness and sensitization programme to enable women who are being violated to come out to report.
“Most times, health workers are often the first professionals that women may disclose violence to, and the health sector has a critical role to play.
“We are always prepared to take up issues relating to violence, hence, we are calling on survivors to speak out.
“Silence will cause you more harm,” she said.
According to her, preventing and responding to violence against women is a human right, gender equality and public health priority.
She said MWAN Edo was working with the First Lady of Edo, Mrs Besty Obaseki, the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, to organise enlightenment programmes for women and survivors of violence.
“MWAN Edo is also active and volunteering to assist GBV survivors.
“The core message we are sending out today is Speak Out, Let us End Gender Based Violence in Edo.
“The Edo Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law covers every type of Gender Based Violence. Once the act is reported, perpetrators will be punished according to the law.”
Dr Lucy Oriomole, a medical practitioner in Benin, said “domestic violence is a major contributor to the ill health of women.”
Oriomole said that domestic violence had consequences on women’s mental, physical health, reproductive and sexual health, making them less productive.
“Domestic violence makes a lot of victims experience gynecological problems, temporary or permanent disabilities, depression and suicide, amongst others”, she said.
Dr Jide Owolana, a medical practitioner also said that women should be taken care of and not subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner or sexual violence from a non-partner.
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“Some women always think about what people would say if they speak out”, he said, noting that keeping quiet would cause more damage to the survivor.
