YWPF lends voice against female abuse

THE high rate of rape in the society today is one that should give everybody cause for concern. It is now common to hear of fathers raping their daughters, or septuagenarians raping girls as young as six.

While the government its working by strengthening laws against rapists, non-governmental organizations NGOs) are also at the fore-front of sensitizing the public on how not to let our young girls fall victim to rape.

It is as a result of this that the Yoruba Women for Peace Foundation, a non-governmental organization under the leadership of Chief (Mrs) Fadekemi Komolafe, deemed it fit to organize an international forum on violence against women and girls recently in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Chief (Mrs) Komolafe, in her opening remarks on the occasion, lamented the high incidence of rape in the society, while admitting that the consequences was more than the actual crime committed.

“Rape victims find it had to recover their self-esteem, as they would have been damaged by the act performed on them.

“They are also likely to contract sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs), including the dreaded HIV/AIDS, while the minors will have permanent damage in their private places.

“We believe it is high time we began the campaign against rape so that more people can be sensitized about this evil currently destroying our girls,” Chief (Mrs) Komolafe said.

The NGO, which used the opportunity to launch its ‘Say no to rape’ campaign, found a powerful voice in the wife of the Ooni of Ife, Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi.

Olori Ogunwusi, in her remarks, admitted that the issue of rape today needed new ideas towards tackling it.

“We should look at the mental health of people who commit rape. If we say such men are attracted by the provocative dresses young girls wear in the society, what about two-year-old girls who have also fallen victim?

“I must say that I am in total support of this campaign against rape, so that our young girls will not have their lives destroyed by pedophiles in the society.

“However, parents should start giving adequate social and religious training to their boys so that when they grow up, they will learn to respect and appreciate women.

“Domestic violence is also something we should be talking about frequently. This is a movement to be supported, and I want to commend the founder, Chief (Mrs) Komolafe for the good work she is doing in liberating the womenfolk,” Olori Wuraola said.

For the chairman on the occasion, Chief Lekan Alabi, castrating rape offenders would be the best way to met out justice.

“There is no way a normal human being can rape someone; it is only abnormal beings who do such evil acts.

“It is a free world; when one sees an adult lady, who is 18 years and above and feels attracted to her, then nothing stops the person from asking the lady out.

“However, going to the extreme of raping ladies, and even minors is something that should be tackled, and I am glad that this organization has joined the fray in spreading the message against rape.

“Everybody has a role to play in tackling this. I want to particularly debunk the misconception in Eastern Africa that when one rapes a minor, that person would become rich, or would have the HIV he is carrying cleansed.

“This is absolutely false, and the sensitization must continue that rape has no benefit to the offender or the victim,” Chief Alabi said.

A family expert, Reverend (Mrs) Funke Adetuberu, said the parents must begin to bring their boys up to respect and value women.

“When boys are well brought up, they will give girls the respect they deserve, and as such we will also have a drastic reduction in domestic violence.

“Organisations such as the Yoruba Women for Peace Foundation must continue with the advocacy so that the incidence of rape can be reduced in the society,” Reverend (Mrs) Adetuberu charged.