26th November, 2012
The Country Director of IPAS, a non-governmental organisation, Dr Ejike Oji, on Sunday called for stiffer measures against rapist in the country.
Oji, who spoke to newsmen in Abakaliki, said about 3,000 rape cases were reported in the media in the last two years, as about 45 women die from complications arising from abortion.
“I urge the National Assembly to pass the Violence Sex Prohibition Bill to protect Nigerian women from unnecessary and wicked sexual molestations.
“The passage of the bill will definitely put a stop to the sexual molestation our women experience.
“Such a law would in very great measure stop those that find pleasure in sexually molesting women,” he said.
Oji said the bill should also provide for compensation for women who have been carnally violated.
The IPAS country director said it was possible for Nigeria to reduce her maternal mortality rate by 75 per cent.
“There are other interventions that are going on especially in the area of immunisation because high infant mortality increases the propensity of women to have more babies which leads them to early grave.”
Oji, however, commended the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce maternal mortality.
“The Federal Government’s recent yearly appropriation of $11.5 million for family planning is a huge remedy to reduce our maternal mortality rate.”
Oji also commended the establishment of the Special Midwifery Scheme, alongside others, which have contributed to reducing maternal mortality in Nigeria.