Social Workers in Bayelsa condemn violence against women, children in Bayelsa

The Nigerian Association of Social Workers, an NGO, on Tuesday, staged a peaceful protest and sensitisation in Yenagoa, to draw government’s attention to the spate of violence against women and children in the state.

Members of the group were seen moving from Yenagoa-Mbiama road to the State Government House gate and terminated at the state Ministry of Women Affairs.

They were also seen displaying different banners condemning violence.

Some of the inscriptions reads: ‘Time is now, stop violence against women and girls, real men don’t rape’ women.’’ Some of the banners also warned men against maltreating women for whatever reason.

The chairman of the association, Rev. Tonye Ayamah, who spoke with journalist after the protest, said the enlightenment programme was also to draw the attention of the public to some of the social problems facing the state and the country at large.

Ayamah, appealed to the National Assembly to give more recognition to social workers on a bill on social work bill to enable President Muhammadu Buhari sign it into law.

He said when the bill is signed into law, it will help to regulate and come out with better programmes that will assist in solving the social problems in this country.

“There are many cases of insecurity in this country; women and children are always the prime target.

“That is why we are appealing to the three tiers of governments to step up efforts at solving problem of insecurity, such as kidnapping, violent crimes, rape and others, which are now on the increase in Bayelsa state.

“The State House of Assembly in conjunction with the state government should come up with a bill on violence against persons, with severe penalties on any offender.

“We don’t have Correctional homes; we don’t have Youth Development Centres in the state.

“If these Institutions are there, all these anti-social behaviours will be curbed,’’he added. (NAN)

FS/AAB/JIE