Echoes of Women in Africa Initiatives Condemns Alleged Killing of Cynthia Agho By Husband
…Calls for the increase of awareness on domestic violence in Edo State
By Simeon OSAJIE
The Echoes of Women in Africa Initiatives (EWAI), Edo State chapter has condemned in strong terms the alleged killing of Mrs. Cynthia Agho, a 27 years old housewife by her husband Emmanuel Umoru and urged Edo State government and other relevant agencies to increase awareness campaign on domestic violence in the state.
It was reported recently that late Mrs. Cynthia Agho was found dead swinging in a rope tied on the ceiling fan inside her bedroom.
In a press statement issued and signed by Louisa Eikhomum Agbonkhese, Founder, Echoes of Women in Africa and Hostess of Encouragers Circle, said the continuous killing of women (femicides) by intimate partners and others in Edo State and in Nigeria has become very alarming.
He urged Edo State government for immediate increased awareness on domestic violence, establishment of domestic violence initiatives, temporary shelters, male involvement programmes, victim assistance programmes, training for marriage counselors to prevent and stem the sensitive traumatic crime in Edo State.
Part of the statement reads, “Globally, 81,000 women and girls were killed in 2020 while 47,000 died in the hands of intimate partners. (Premium Times November 25″, 2023).
“Domestic abuse also called domestic violence is an offence committed by someone’s intimate partner, this may be husband, boyfriend, or lovers. Domestic Violence is mental, physical, sexual, psychological and economic and it is used to exert power and control of the victims.
“As a country, Nigeria has signed multiple conventions which call for protection, prevention, investigation, prosecution, punishment and effective remedies to deal with Gender Based Violence that includes domestic violence. At the national level, Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPPA) has been passed with states domesticating it into law.
“However, reports of attacks on women and girls continue to make headlines. A nation that is getting engulfed in armed conflict by bandits and terrorists causing deaths of children, women, men and kidnapping of hundreds of thousands in communities on one hand, domestic violence on the other hand is endangering the family unit: women are battered, threatened, neglected, forcefully ejected and eventually killed for flimsy excuses. Domestic violence is a serious, social, economic and public health issue. The impact is difficult to articulate on adults, children, the family and the government.
“Fortunately, the Edo State Government has set up a management committee on ending GBV, but batterers are costing the states fortunes in terms of law enforcement, health care, and general progress in development. There is an urgent need to enhance response, meet the needs of survivors and strengthen prevention efforts to achieve the goal of ending domestic violence in Edo State and in Nigeria.
“While we condemn the killing of women by male partners, we equally condemned the killing of men by female partners: girlfriends, wives or lovers. The home should not be a dangerous place for women or men.
“We are therefore using this medium to call for increased awareness on domestic violence, establishment of domestic violence initiatives, temporary shelters, male involvement programmes, victim assistance programmes, training for marriage counselors to prevent and stem the sensitive traumatic crime in the Edo State,” the statement concluded.
