Husbands who beat their wives in Akwa Ibom State stand the chance of being recommended for arrest, prosecution and imprisonment, the wife of Akwa Ibom governor, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel has alerted.
Mrs. Emmanuel gave the warning at the inauguration of the ONNA Chapter of Eket Senatorial District Women Forum and empowerment scheme sponsored by Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Path-initiative (FEYReP), her pet project.
Advising women on issues about gender-based violence, the governor’s wife said that violence against women in the state would not be tackled with kid gloves.
She said, “We are against violence against women in Akwa Ibom. If you do it and I have evidence against you, you will go to prison.
“There are many women who have been beaten to death by their husbands. If you die, who will take care of your children?
Acknowledging that some women at one time or the other would provoke their husbands to anger, the governor’s wife reasoned such provocation should not be an excuse for wife battering.
Mrs Emmanuel, who noted that innocent and vulnerable children are many times violated sexually by neighbours or relatives, cautioned mothers not to unnecessarily hand over their female children to the care of mistrusted relatives or neighbours.
The wife of the Chairman of Onna local government council, Mrs. Idorenyin Iniabasi Ekanem pledged to support the programmes and policies of the present administration to aid in achieving the Completion Agenda of Governor Udom Emmanuel.
Mrs. Ekanem urged the women to remain loyal to people in authority, assuring them that God rewards faithfulness.
The Onna First lady appreciated the Women Executive for meeting to brainstorm barely two weeks after their inauguration, urging them to be united and prayerful for the success of the Udom Emmanuel administration.
The President of the Eket Senatorial District Women Forum, ONNA Chapter, Mrs. Jayne Ezekiel Umoh, who thanked God for qualifying them to lead Onna women, pledged her preparedness to carry the women along.
Mrs. Umoh urged the women to emulate the Governor’s wife who is working hard to impact the lives of the vulnerable women of the area.
She announced that the Forum would hold an enlarged meeting the last week of October, tour all wards in the area as well as visit relevant institutions within and outside the state.
Itoro Bassey/Blessing Isonguyo reported
