Nigeria: Women campaign against rape upsurge in Osun

No fewer than 400 women, yesterday, converged on Osogbo, Osun State,to campaign against serial rape across the state.
The campaign was organised by the Office of the Osun First Lady in collaboration with the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare.
On the occasion, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola, the wife of the governor, said the campaign was to create awareness for women to support the eradication of rape in the state.
Aregbesola, according to NAN report, said the administration had intensified effort in sensitising its citizens on rape, which had become so rampant in the society.
She noted that dozens of ladies across the country had been raped, a situation which had turned most of them to prostitutes in the country and abroad.
She appealed to parents to always monitor their children and support the state government to achieve its goal of eradicating rape in the state.
Aregbesola advised mothers to desist from sending their female children to hawk at night, stressing that evil perpetrators operated mostly at night.
She said: “Parents should only allow their children to hawk in public places and during the day for girls to be free from evil rapists.”
Earlier, Mrs Mofolake Adegboyega, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, said: “No way for rapists anymore in the state.”
Adegboyega urged rapists to go for marriage rather than raping girls around the corner.
She advised girls to avoid provocative dresses and live a life worthy of emulation.
The commissioner warned rapists to desist from such attitude, adding that anyone caught, henceforth would have himself to blame.
“Rape eradication will be achieved if women play their active role as good and caring parents and female keepers. ”