Lawyers decry prevalence of rape cases in Kaduna

Female lawyers in Kaduna working for different Non-Governmental Organisations and gender advocacy groups have decried the rising cases of rape in the state, saying it is one of the worst forms of violence against women.
Speaking at a workshop on gender-based violence organised by Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative, chairperson observatory steering committee, Amina Audi Mohammed, said rape has adverse effect psychological, physical and social on the victims. She warned against the old mentality of allowing female toddlers to mix freely with male relatives and distant uncles, including following them to their rooms, must be tampered with some caution.
In her remarks, Catherine Ishu, said some women don’t see anything wrong with violence against them because they don’t see it as violation, adding that gone were the days when violence against women was perpetuated freely whether knowingly or unknowingly.
On her part, Mary Okum of the gender working group and member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, said gender advocacy was not only about women but also men and therefore should be taken seriously.