The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25 election, Peter Obi, has proferred solutions to nipping violence against women in the bud.
Peter Obi’s suggestions were conveyed in a series of tweets on his X handle, (formerly known as Twitter) on Saturday, to mark the Global International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
While condemning all acts of violence against women, Peter Obi observed that according to the National Demographic and Health Survey, one in three Nigerian women have experienced physical violence by the age of 15.
He also noted that according to a 2019 survey by the National Bureau of Statistics, 68% of Nigerian women, young or old, have encountered emotional, economic, or sexual abuse.
According to Obi, the best way to eliminate violence against women is to grant them unhindered access to good education, empower them to take their rightful place in society and also provide good health care for them.
He said, “Today, the global community marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and I join my voice with that of all lovers of peace and a violent-free society, to speak out against all forms of gender-based violence, especially against women in our nation.
“While every form of violence against any Nigerian deserves to be condemned, gender-based violence against women must not be given a place among us. The National Demographic and Health Survey reports that 1 in 3 Nigerian women have experienced physical violence by age 15 (NDHS 2013).”
According to a 2019 survey by the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics, 30% of Nigerian women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence, while a shocking 68% have encountered emotional, economic, or sexual abuse. This ugly trend of violence must not be allowed to continue.
“Violence against women can be eliminated by empowering Nigerian women to take their rightful place in society and contribute to our collective development as a nation. This, we can do by giving them access to education and healthcare which are most critical to national development.”
