In light of recent events in the 33 area of Onitsha, a prominent apex Anambra Women Group, the Anambra Women General Assembly (AWGA) has expressed its profound dismay and condemnation of the heinous act of child abuse perpetrated against a house girl, Happiness Nwafor by her guardian, Adachukwu Okafor.
In a statement released by the global president of Anambra State General Assembly (AWGA) who also doubles as the Founder of Women Support Women Community Network (WOSCONET), Amb. Mrs Amaka Nweke JP. on Friday, the group expressed their deep sadness, describing the act as barbaric;
"As a prominent and respected women's organization dedicated to the empowerment and protection of women and children, we are deeply troubled by the reported abuse inflicted upon the innocent child, including burns allegedly caused by a hot iron. Such barbaric and inhumane treatment has no place in our society and must be met with swift and decisive action"
"We stand in solidarity with the victim and her family during this difficult time and commend the swift response of Mrs. Nonye Soludo, wife of the Anambra State governor, in directing the appropriate authorities to take custody of the child and ensure she receives the necessary medical care and support"
"As an apex women's group, we call upon the Anambra State government to expedite the arrest and prosecution of Adachukwu Okafor to ensure that justice is served and that such egregious acts are not tolerated or overlooked. We urge the relevant law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter and bring the perpetrator to book"
"Furthermore, we appeal to parents and guardians to exercise utmost care and responsibility when entrusting the care of their children to others. The safety and well-being of our children must always be paramount, and we must collectively work together to create a society where such acts of violence and abuse are unequivocally condemned and eradicated"
"AWGA reaffirms its commitment to advocating for the rights and protection of women and children across Anambra State and beyond. We call upon all stakeholders to join us in our efforts to create a safer and more equitable society for all"
Amb. Mrs. Amaka Nweke JP
Global President
Anambra Women General Assembly (AWGA), Founder, Women Support Women Community Network (WOSCONET).
Recall that there has been a general outcry at the 33 area of Onitsha following the abuse meted out against a house girl by her guardian, Adachukwu Okafor, who is said to be a lawyer and pastor.
Residents of the area, who trooped out of the streets with the girl, condemned the action of the lawyer and urged security operatives to bring her to book.
The mother of the badly battered girl, allegedly with hot iron on parts of her body, said she gave the girl to her sister’s daughter, who is the lawyer, to live with, lamenting that she had made a wrong decision.
It was gathered that the girl’s offence was that she mistakenly touched the private part of the lawyer’s little son while bathing him.
As the neighbours were condemning the action of the lawyer, a pastor in a Pentecostal church, she drove out of her house and has not been sighted since then.
The wife of the Anambra State governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo, has already waded into the matter as she directed the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, to take custody of the child and begin immediate treatment of her wounds. She also urged officials of the Ministry to conduct tests to ascertain if she sustained internal injuries from the burns.
Describing the woman’s action as barbaric, Mrs Soludo vowed to ensure that justice is served.
She expressed deep sadness about the current condition of the girl. She called on anyone who had information on how to get hold of the fleeing guardian to open up as a matter of conscience and right reasoning.
Insisting that Anambra State remains a no-go area for child abuse, she said that the government would leave no stone unturned in dealing with anyone who had no respect for human dignity.
She, however, appealed to parents to take serious consideration of their child’s age before giving them out as maids and to also know the temperament of their child’s guardian before giving out their children.
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