President, Women Arise for Change Initiative, Joe Okei-Odumakin, has made significant strides in defending the rights of women and children, for which she has severally been honoured by local and international organisations. Following the targeted killings of women and children by the Boko Haram terrorist group, she tells SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, ISHAYA IBRAHIM, that the aim was to cripple the economic existence of most households. Excerpts…
Joe Okei-Odumakin
HAT IS THE IMPLICATION of Boko Haram attackson families and communities that are affected?
It is obvious that the families and communities can never remain the same again. The families and communities are already devastated. Economic, social and political lives of the communities have been destroyed. Even if they are rehabilitated – which is never properly done by government, the communal relationship of the families and communities are never regained. Recently, it was observed that professionals such as health practitioners have started fleeing the attacked communities and areas. Economic activities have collapsed and the people have lost their means of livelihood, as they are now at the mercy of the government. The several lives that were lost, most of which were women and children, can never be regained. This will surely have a down-turn on the communities and the people.
What programme, if any, should groups such as yours and government commence to rehabilitate survivors?
Government and civil society groups need to work together in the establishment of relief centres where survivors will be adequately attended to. There must be adequate provision of relief materials such as food, water, befitting shelter and recreation. Government must recruit social work experts who must counsel survivors and help them to get over the trauma. The rehabilitation process must also be conducted with all sincerity of purpose and political will on the part of government.
Why do you think women and children have become objects of attack despite international conventions that protect them from attacks?
It is simply because they are the most vulnerable in the communities. They are the ones that keep the homestead. It is also because of the hatred the attackers have for women and children, the lack of respect for women and the attitude of the attackers to children. In most cases, women and children are often unable to the defend themselves, and so when the communities are attacked they are often caught unawares. Further, women and children are often the objects of attack because Nigeria is not serious about implementing to the letter all the international conventions that have been ratified by our government. There is no adequate protection for women and children in the attacked communities.
How should government act to protect women and children?
Government should provide adequate security in the North East zone being ravaged by the Boko Haram. Twenty-four- hour surveillance is needed in the communities, with particular attention on the protection of women and children. Government must also, as matter of urgency, ensure the implementation of all the laws, conventions and statues that protect women and children.
