The Bayelsa chapter of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) has reinforced the call for stiffer penalty for rape and sexual offences.

They lamented the recent upsurge in sexual violence and other violence attack on women and the girl child during a peaceful walk against rape on Wednesday in Yenagoa.

The association embarked on a peaceful positive agitation around Yenagoa on Wednesday.

The group said the increasing rate of rape and murder of female folks has reached a pandemic level that required urgent counter action to stop the dastardly nation act.

The women and members of the association’s youth wing were received at the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere.

Ingobere said the house is also worried and deeply concerned about the moral decadence that is finding expression in the widespread sexual violence.

He said the sexual crimes include forced sex against infants, youths, adult and even the aged.

Ingobere was represented by member Yenagoa Constituency 11, Hon. Koku Obiyai.

He assured the FOMWAN delegation of the house commitment to passage of legislation that would protect women against violence and make rapists have second thought.

The speaker assured the group that the house will extend invitation to them when the bill gets to public hearing stage so that they can make input into the bill before passage.

The FOMWAN delegation was led by state coordinator of its youth wing, Alhaja Mutiat Bakare.

Bakare called on the state House of Assembly to come up with legislation with stiffer penalties for rapist to serve as deterrent.

Bakare said castration or death penalty should be the most appropriate punishment for those who violate women and replace their pride with self-pity.

She said unless drastic actions are taken women will continue to suffer unjustifiably in the hands of social deviants who take comfort in inflicting pains on others.

She also called on parents to teach the boy-child value so that he can respect and value women rather than see them as object of sex.

The group was also at NTA Yenagoa where they received commitment from management to support efforts aimed at creating a safer Nigeria for every citizen including the women.

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