As the world marks another year in commemoration of the elimination of Violence against women with one of the Themes: #Orange the world# at the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA) we stand against any form of violence against women generally.
As female species women generally are vulnerable groups. Their biological make-up and physical outlook predispose them as susceptible group to evil merchant who are quick to look out for these species of human.
In the home front the brunt of every slightest provocation and frustration is the female species. Cases abound of husband maiming, injuring and outrightly killing of their wives in the course of their everyday living. Young girls are not speared these brutal attacks. Cases abound of vicious man-handling of the female species in the homes, schools and general public domain. A lot of such physically assaulted victims are left with one broken or damaged body part or the other. Rape incidences are on the rise. Hardly a day passes by without a reported case of sexual assault on a defenseless victim. The fact that it is becoming a daily occurrence signal a coming anomaly, one that portends grave consequences if left unchecked.
The costs of physical, psychology and verbal assault on women are far reaching and very dire. If we are to go by the phrase: if you educate and build a woman, you build the nation and the world at large. It therefore means that a woman who is constantly being assaulted physically emotionally or verbally will end up transferring all of these frustrations to her offspring or anyone generally under her care. Those under her watch will equally be assaulted physically, verbally and emotionally in her bid to vent her feelings on the closest available being underneath her. Automatically this translate into the making of citizens who have been foundationally wired up to see violent assault as a way of life. And so, the vicious cycle continues.
Generally, the overall consequences of assault on women is far reaching and even affect unborn babies in the womb. An unborn baby is not spared the negative effect of assault on the expectant mother. An expectant mother who is emotionally, verbally and psychologically assaulted is likely to bring forth a deformed and challenged child as the right atmosphere for the development and growth of the fetus was infringed on. The social and financial cost of caring and planning for such children can only be imagined.
The Society for Women and Youth Affairs therefore intreats both male and female members of the family, relevant government agencies, concerned women groups, the government and society at large, to watch out and treat every female gender in the family, workplace and society at large, her pride of place for a healthy, conflict free and viable society. A psychologically balanced woman creates a psychologically balanced society.
Stella Amanie
Executive Director