Slain job seeker: A’Ibom women protest against gender violence

Over 2,000 women in Akwa Ibom State, on Wednesday, staged a protested over the murder of a job seeker, Miss Iniubong Umoren, and other forms of gender-based violence.

Wife of the state governor, Dr Martha Emmanuel, led other women including the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr Ini Adiakpan; Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mrs Felicia Bassey; and Chairperson of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Barr. Emem Ette, among others in the protest.

The women, who were all clad in black, sang dirges and chanted as they walked slowly from Ibom plaza, where they converged to head to the Government House, Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo.

They held placards with inscriptions such as, ‘We want justice for Iniubong’, ‘Justice for one is justice for all’, ‘No more rape’, ‘#Stand in Solidarity with Akwa Ibom State women and demand justiceforIniubongUmoren’, among others.

While addressing the protesters, Dr Emmanuel reiterated the position of the state government that all perpetrators and collaborators in the rape and murder of Iniobong would be prosecuted, adding that justice would be served.

She commended the government and police for their prompt response in the case and advised the youths to be vigilant and investigate every job claim posted online.

She cautioned them against being carried away by sweet promises, adding that unemployment should not drive the youths to desperate offers.

“Let me reiterate the position of the Akwa Ibom State government and assure you that there will be justice not only to Iniubong Umoren but all perpetrators of gender-based violence in Akwa Ibom State.

“The good Lord will fight for the defenceless and expose the perpetrators of these crimes,” she said.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr Adiakpan, lamented the abuses meted out on females both old and young.

She called on women to unite to fight a common cause and support one another, especially those who have suffered genderbased violence.

The Chairperson of FIDA, Barr Emem Ette, said the group will continue to defend women, noting that a lot needed to be done to re-orientate males on their duties and roles as defenders of women and not abusers.