10th June, 2023
By Jethro Ibileke
Wife of Edo State Governor, Betsy Obaseki, has advised women on the need to prioritise their safety and well being ahead of abusive marriages.
She gave the strong stance against domestic abuse on Friday in Benin, during a heartfelt visit to a survivor of domestic violence, Mrs Tina Okhiria, whose arm was tragically amputated due to a gunshot allegedly inflicted by her abusive husband.
While seeking to understand the circumstances that led to the incident and the actions taken by the family, the mother of the victim revealed to Mrs. Obaseki that she was aware of the ongoing abuse.
She explained further that her daughter who had left the abusive marriage on several occasions was swayed by appeals from her abusive husband because of her concern for their children.
Expressing her concern, the Edo First Lady who stressed that no woman should endure such cruelty, urged victims to seek help and escape dangerous situations, even as she emphasized the importance of leaving an abusive marriages rather than die in it.
Mrs. Obaseki firmly stated that the abusive husband would face legal consequences for his actions, as the crime committed was against the state and could not be resolved through arbitration or appeals.
Drawing attention to the resources available through the Ministry of Gender, the First Lady assured the public that there are avenues to address issues of spousal battery and prevent them from escalating.
She emphasized that no person, regardless of status or influence, has the right to abuse their spouse. Marriage, she said, should be a source of happiness and fulfillment, not a prison sentence.
In a gesture of support, she assured Mrs. Okhiria that she will receive assistance in obtaining a prosthetic arm to alleviate the loss she has suffered.
The abusive husband has since been arrested and is currently in police custody.