Anambra State traditional rulers have joined in the call for stiffer
penalties for rapists.
The traditional rulers bared their minds to journalists, at the
Government House, Awka, while reacting to the rising incidence of rape
in the country.
Among the traditional rulers is Igwe Mac-Anthony Okonkwo of Alor,
Idemili South council area, who advocated stiffer punishments for
culprits to serve as a deterrent to others.
Igwe Okonkwo, who condemned rape in its entirety, urged parents and
caregivers not to hesitate in reporting incidence of rape to
appropriate authorities for the perpetrators to face the wrath of the
law.
He described as taboo, the situation where father rapes his own
daughters, pointing out that rape of any kind is condemnable.
Contributing, Igwe Mike Etusi of Eziowelle, Idemili North local
government, and his Owelle Ancient kingdom counterpart, Igwe Anthony
Onyekwere as well as the traditional ruler of Akwaeze, Anaocha council
area, Igwe Christopher Okpala called on parents to take adequate care
of their children and wards.
They called on the legislature to come up with stiffer laws that will
guarantee justice for victims.
On the issue of maltreatment of widows, the Royal Fathers called for
Civil and Criminal laws to address and prohibit domestic violence,
sexual assault, force marriage and property grabbing among others to
protect the rights of women and girls, provide legal remedy, promote
accountability as well as mount checks against prospective
perpetrators.
Credit: ABS