Journalists for Niger Delta (JODEL), a media group concerned with the affairs of Nigeria’s oil and gas region, have joined emerging global pressure groups, to protest against the rising sexual assault on women and young girls in the region.
The group had accordingly written to the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, pressing for action against such violence on women mainly in Niger Delta region.
In their letter dated 6 November and signed by the Coordinator Akanimo Sampson, JODEL said it wanted the UN to take deterrent action against the continued violence against women, including those carried out on them by operatives of the Nigeria army in Niger Delta region.
“We, the members of JODEL, are writing to you to welcome the adoption of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1888 and also calling for its swift implementation on behalf of women and girls trapped in wars not of their own making,’’ he said.
The statement added that JODEL is “of the view that immediate appointment of a special representative of the UN Secretary-General to hold government forces and other armed groups accountable.”
“There is also rapid need for recruitment and deployment of women protection officers who can immediately contribute to improving levels of protection and delivery of services for survivors,” it said.
“Implementation of a field-based “gap analysis” within three months to identify existing weaknesses in the multi-sectoral response and prioritize problems to correct.
’’Time is critical – let’s not wait another minute to break the vicious cycle of sexual violence damaging women, girls and their communities worldwide,’’ the letter added.
The group is particularly irked by the activities of the Military Joint Task Force (JTF), an outfit that had engaged the numerous militant groups in the region.
They had been accused of assault against women, including rape and extra judicial killing of women and girls. (NAN)
Source African Press Agency
