By Cross Udo
Worried by the increasing rate of sexual violence against girls, the National Association of Seadogs, NAS, in collaboration with the Rotary Club, in Abuja, embarked on an awareness campaign against sexual crimes.
The campaign was part of the activities by NAS also known as Pyrates Confraternity, to mark the 2022 International Day for Elimination of Gender-Based Violence against Women and Girls.
Speaking at the occasion, the Capoon of Abuja Chapter (Zuma Deck) of NAS, Emmanuel Adie, said, “We are here to create awareness against the occurrence of sexual crimes and to also particularly draw attention to the existence of a Referral Centre where cases of sexual violence and other sexual cases are being handled.
“We just formally unveiled a billboard that gives information about incidences of rape and violence against women.
“You know that rape forms the main percentage of violence against women and sexual offences. So this billboard creates awareness and also calls attention to the fact that there is an existence, a centre where victims of sexual offences can seek help from that referral centre, situated within the Bwari General Hospital.”
Asked what the interest of the association in the campaign was, Adie said, “NAS is a humanitarian organisation that carries out mostly advocacy and draws attention to societal ills.
Sexual, gender based violence, is a threat to society
“So, it is a cardinal objective of NAS that is the National Association of Seadogs, Pyrates Confraternity, to make sure that incidences that dehumanize people generally are being addressed by the relevant authorities. So to the extent that a day has been set aside for the eradication of violence against women, NASS is a major stakeholder in making sure that that information goes out to everybody.”
Also speaking, the Rotary Club District Chair, Empowering Girls Initiative, Lovina Ntui, said “We are here to create awareness about the centre.”
She said that Rotary, NAS, and the UN are at the forefront of fighting sexual crimes and other related offences.
The Chief Nursing Officer, SARC, Bakare Olubunmi, said many people don’t know that there is a centre in Bwari General Hospital Abuja, where victims of sexual violence are being treated and counselled.
She said, “Every service that is given is free of charge so the people cannot say they don’t have money to go for treatment or you don’t have people to call. When you come, there are people to help, and every service rendered is free. It is being supported by British Council and we appreciate God for that. And with this awareness, we will be able to go far.
“Rape victims will be treated but will not be satisfied if she doesn’t get justice, how do you think little girls that are victims will get justice, what’s happening?”
