First Lady of Akwa Ibom State says the era of men beating their wives is over. Anyone caught doing that will roast in jail.
By Uzor Odigbo
Akwa Ibom First Lady, Martha Udom Emmanuel, has threatened to champion the arrest, prosecution and imprisonment of any man caught beating his wife anywhere in the state, TheNiche gathered.
The First Lady handed down the warning recently at the inauguration of the ONNA Chapter of Eket Senatorial District Women Forum and empowerment scheme sponsored by her pet project, the Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Path-initiative (FEYReP) in collaboration with the forum.
Speaking to the women on issues about gender-based violence, the First Lady said that violence against women in the state would not be tackled with kid gloves.
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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?
Although the First Lady acknowledged that some women would, at one time or the other, provoke their husbands to anger, she maintained that such provocation should not be an excuse for wife battery.
Speaking further, the First Lady said 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 untrusted relatives or neighbours.
TheNiche gathered that the First Lady also warned that any woman found to be covering up for a husband who sexually molested a child would be arrested, prosecuted and imprisoned.
According to the First Lady, any woman who would be comfortable with her husband who sexually molested a child must be a wicked person and a witch.
She explained that no fewer than seven fathers are currently awaiting trial for alleged rape and defilement of their daughters in Akwa Ibom State.
“As I speak, we have about seven fathers in police cell awaiting trial for defiling their daughters. If you know your husband is that kind of a person, please protect your daughters.
“Some women are fond of covering up for their husbands when they have sexually molested their children. If you are caught, you will go to jail”, the First Lady added