NO TO RAPE! Spoken Words

I AM A GIRL - A Poem supporting fight against rape

I am a child, a girl, a woman 

Who desires everything but pain 

From society and every man

But reverse is the case, only injury I gain 

I am a creature to be loved and protected 

Not a tool to be abused without piety 

As a child, girl and woman was I raped 

I weep, I groan, I deserve some mercy 

How then should I desire my justice?

Oh! I am but a woman and weak

Who then should speak and lend a voice?

A sacrifice of love my soul doth seek

This day my justice I beg

From society, everyone and all

I am a woman, not a tool for rape 

Today! My redemption I stand and call!

Today I join other meaningful voices to say no to RAPE and VIOLENCE meted on the ladies.

Poem by Godswill Ugorji, an Educator and Human Rights Activist.

Boys and Girls are Victims 

One in four boys and one in 10 girls under age 18 are victims of sexual violence, the U.N. children’s fund has said. Health experts say more children and young women are coming forward to talk about the problem as the stigma attached to discussing it slowly subsides.

Three survivors and their caregivers spoke about their experiences recently at the Salama Sexual Assault Referral Center in Gwamna Awan General Hospital in the northern state of Kaduna. They insisted, however, on remaining anonymous.

One was a 3-year-old girl who was under the care of her grandmother when she was raped twice by a 44-year-old neighbor. The grandmother said she was reluctant to report the assault to police because she did not believe justice would be served and because "being a poor widow, no one would believe me." After the second attack, she fled to the Salama Center for help.

A second survivor, a woman in her late 30s, said she was kidnapped while sleeping with her husband and child. Her abductors took her to a dense forest where she was raped every day until a ransom was paid and she regained her freedom.

The third survivor, a 10-year-old girl, was reportedly raped by a 29-year-old man living in her neighborhood. He allegedly lured her, saying he wanted her to run an errand. Once they were out of sight, he allegedly stuffed her hijab into her mouth and raped her.

While there are so many unreported rape cases in Nigeria, some have been widely condemned and justice sought for. On October 17, 2018, a teenager of 13 years old, Ochanya Ogbanje lost her life after being raped severally by an uncle and his son. Recently, 22-year-old Vera Uwaila Omozuwa has also short-lived her sojourn on earth after being gang raped in the church. 

These and many more cases of rape need to be given urgent attention by relevant authorities as the voices of the victims still wail for justice.

News Except from Voice of America News 

Reported by PraiseGod Wome