The Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Dr Herbert Wigwe., on Sunday in Lagos says domestic violence against women and children needs public participation and sustainable approaches to addressing the issue.
Wigwe said this on the sideline of a public programme held by the Financial Control and Strategy Group, Access Bank, in partnership with the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT).
The event which was tagged “IT’S ON YOU AND I’’ to end violence against women and children, featured many dignitaries of the state.
He said that domestic violence in the country was long overdue and there was need public participation to end it.
“In the country, there should be need to mobilise public in providing viable solutions to addressing and ultimately resolving the wicked act.
“We are happy to partner with DSVRT; together, we are ready to make this a common problem to ourselves. There is never ever a good reason for violence against women and children.
“All women have fundamental rights to live and we must ensure that this right is established.
“Most of these victims do not come forward, thinking their lives are in danger and in the case of sexual abuse, it is a stigma.
“A woman is a mother, a daughter, a sister and a wife. She is active, emotional and devoted. She will nurture, fight for and deserves nothing less from each and every one of us.
“As we keep saying, it is on you and I to end and stop violence against women and children, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes Wigwe as saying.
Also speaking, the Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, said it was the responsibility of everyone to end this unlawful act “as it remains a horrible and devastating issue in the society’’.
“It is our responsibility to ensure we sustain public discourse on this issue of gender-based violence.
“I, therefore, join all stakeholders and relevant agencies to ensure public awareness and sensitisation on this.
“The law enforcement agencies must hold any offender accountable and protect victims so as to encourage others to speak out and break conspiracy of silence,’’ Ambode said.
The DSVRT Coordinator, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, urged more stakeholders to join in the fight against the unlawful act to protect girl and women from sexual and domestic violence. (NAN)
