Monarch Expresses Delight On NGO’s Expansion Campaign Against Gender-based Sexual Violence in Rural Communities.

The expaned fight against increasing cases of sexual and gender-based violence including rape taken to the rural communities of Ekori Kingdom in Yakurr Local Governemtn Area, Cross River State by a Non-Governemtnal Organization (NGO) has received commendation by the Obol Lopon of Ekori.

HRM. Obol Ibor Okem spoke at a sensitization workshop organized by Health and Human Rights Advocacy Initiative (HEHRA) in collaboration with the Ekori Progressive Womens League held at Ernest Kizito Attah Square Ekori recently.

He said most interventionist organizations of similar exercises in the past have always limited their activities to the urban cities thereby ostracizing a greater number of the rural population.

The royal father pledged his support for the NGO and appealed to other corporate bodies embarking on similar ventures to pay more attention to the local population.

Executive Director and founder of HEHRAI, Mrs. Dodeye Obongha said that the essence of the seminar was to equip the rural dwellers with the basic knowledge of curbing the increasing menace of sexual violence in the area.

“We have chosen Yakurr Local Government Area as a focal point because the Gender-based sexual Violence there is too high and we solicit for collaboration to confront the challenge.”

Mrs. Obongha appreciated the stakeholders for their contributions and support toward the success of the event and promised to leverage on the synergy for optimum results and mutual benefits.

The Police Desk Officer in charge of the family unit at the state Police Headquarters, ASP. Puilo Modor frowned at the culture of silence which she noted has caused perpetrators to continue indulging in the crime.

ASP. Modor appealed to parents not to expose their children to risks and to always report any act of molestation or abuse to the nearest police station.

In their separate remarks, Rev. Fathers Hyacinntu Smart and Innocent Kizito of Saint Francis called for mutual love and respect between couples and appealed to parents to desist from sending their children to juicy overtures offered to avoid child trafficking.