Oraifite Women in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State under the aegis of Oraifite Women Based in Awka have condemned the burning to death of a woman, Mrs Blessing Nwanna by her husband, over allegation of infidelity.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Spokesperson of Oraifite Women Based in Anambra, Dr Helen Obi, who is also a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Law, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka in a press briefing on Thursday said the women plan to visit the Commissioner for Women Affairs to ensure that the matter is not swept under the carpet
Obi said the deceased who is a mother of six hails from Oraifite and was married to her husband, Sunday Nwanna, a native of Abagana, where they both lived until Tuesday evening when the man poured fuel on her and set her ablaze after a heated argument, leading to her death.
Obi, while briefing journalists, cautioned couples against violence, urging them to do well to detect early signs of violence and walk away. She insisted that there was nothing for a woman to be ashamed of in a broken marriage, as it was better to be alive than die while trying to conceal the shame of divorce.
“I’m speaking on behalf of Oraifite Women Based in Anambra, I’m also speaking as a former vice chairman of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, in Anambra, an advocate of World Women International.
“We condemn the burning to death of our daughter who is married to Abagana, who was set ablaze by her husband. This is such a gruesome incident. We have not rested since we heard this.
“We just ended the 16 days of activism on ‘stop the violence against women’, and less than a month after that exercise, we are now seeing this. During the campaign, we spoke against domestic violence.
“This particular incident did not go down well with us. So Oraifite Women Based in Awka plan to visit the commissioner for women affairs, Mrs Ify Obinabo to express our unhappiness about this and to urge her to ensure that justice is served.”
She expressed confidence that the Anambra State government led by Prof Chukwuma Soludo will ensure that justice is served.
She also urged women to always look out for early signs of violence in marriage and always walk away instead of remaining and dying.
“Marriage is not the ultimate in life. Always look at the warnings signs of violence. I teach family law, so I’m not one to advocate separation but when you see such warning signs, you need to leave. There is nothing like stigma because you’re leaving your marriage,
“We have multiple doors where mediations are done, people should feel free to speak to counselors or even speak to FIDA, we have office here in Awka and many hot lines to call
“We also call on women to mind what you say or do to their husbands, because this can trigger violence. If you provoke your husband and he reacts you could be the one at the receiving end.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
