Sexual Violence: Presbyterian girls in Nigerian Capital march against rape

 

Presbyterian girls in Nigerian Capital march against rape

As a part of events to mark their 2021 emphasis week, Christian Girls In Training (CGIT) of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN) took to the street in the nation’s capital to march against all forms of sexual violence, particularly rape.

The girls from Kubwa Parish, Abuja during the weeklong programme (25/10/2021 to 31/10/2021) had an activity tagged #ENDRAPERALLY (End Rape Rally) where they marched, bearing placards with various inscriptions condemning rape and other forms of sexual and child abuse in Nigeria.

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During the rally which took place on the major streets of Kubwa town, Abuja on the 30th October, 2021, they made the following points known to the public through their songs and posters:

1. We are Christians Girls In Training; We stand against rape.
2. We must end rape  in Nigeria now.
3. The girl-child deserves  peace not violence.
4. We declare war against rapist.
5. Paedophiles and rapists are murderers, they must be brought to book.
6. Say no to sexual Violence.
7. Rape is just 5 minutes pleasure for the rapist, but a life time physical and emotional trauma to the victims.

The CGIT members, who are mainly the young girls and their coordinators, were involved in the rally as part of their civil and societal responsibility of speaking out for the oppressed and victimized citizens.

 

One of the Parish Ministers, a Tent-maker in the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Kubwa Parish, Abuja, by name Rev. Dr. Chima John Nwachukwu in his statement, condemned rape in all totality, he further emphasized that, rape is dishonorable, immoral, inhuman, a sinful act to man and God which must be outrightly condemned by all.

He made it clear that, it is dishonorable because it takes away the pride of the victim who has been raped and her skin engraved in a deep wound that may take years to heal. It is immoral because society frowns at it as it goes against the general acceptable way and manner of conduct in any given society. 

Nwachukwu said: “Most importantly, It is sinful because it goes against the dictates of the creator and amount to stealing from the victim. The Holy Bible as well condemns it,  in Deuteronomy 22:25, it  says “But if in the open country a man meets a young woman who is betrothed, and the man seizes her and lies with her, then only the man who lay with her shall die”. The Bible goes as far as stating that capital punishment should be given to a rapist. You will never see in any holy book where rape is  tolerated. 

Rape at various times has terminated the dreams and life of some innocent girls and boys. Rape can occur to both gender, but it’s more dominant among the young female folks. 

Permit me to inform you that, there are some girls somewhere whose dreams may be aborted tomorrow due to our negligence to take a drastic stand today and kick against this horrible menace. Today’s victim can be another man’s daughter, but tomorrow can be yours. So, we must stand against rape by all means. 

However, We have heard the government of Nigeria speak against it but with no pragmatic line of action. We have also seen the hand of the law taking a long but slow road to this. 

Notwithstanding, the security agents may also be blind to it and lack the knowledge like a mute dog that cannot bark. They lie around and dream and love to sleep. Dogs with mighty appetites but never have enough. Shepherds without understanding, they have turn to their own way each seeking his own gain.

No mother, father, uncle and aunty of this nation, would watch and wait till it hurts you. We wouldn’t  remain silent and speechless till it knocks at our doors. Would you rather wait till it becomes a gruesome gesture?

No!

I offer my voice today against rape in our Nigeria and propose that every rapist should be made to face the consequences of their action. We cannot tolerate this evil any more. We cannot watch and see innocent girls suffer. We cannot allow men dressed in devil’s robes take over the joy and peace of our girls.

I say enough is enough! Now is the time to speak out against our pains. Now is the time to kick against our tears. Now is the time to stop the activities of these evil men among us in Nigeria. 

The CGIT is saying; No to rape!

The PCN, Kubwa Parish is saying; No to rape!!

The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria is saying; No to rape!!!

Shalom!”, he said.