Muslim Group Wants FG To Enact Strict Laws On Rape

A Muslim Humanitarian group, Sisters of Jannah (SOJ), has charged the Federal Government to enact stringent laws against rape and the rising cases of violence against the women in the country.

The National President of the group, Ramatu Aliyu, made the appeal in a visual news conference in Abuja on Monday, adding that the group is prompted to raise the appeal out of concern for the increasing number of rape cases in the country as well as the number of young women who lost their lives to rapist.

She said, “The most innocent segment of society have not been spared, as young children are also targeted by the perpetrators of rape, who are devoid of conscience"

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"This must be urgently addressed, hence this call to action at every strand of society; including our homes, schools, all levels of government, humanitarian organizations, and places of worship.

"We call for stricter laws on rape and violence against women and children. We call for training and investment in resources for law enforcement.

"We call for a collective effort in preventing these crimes, as exposing such incidents via word of mouth and all forms of media also go a long way.

"As such, we are publicly declaring our stance against rape and violence against females.

“To this end, we have organized a lecture on rape as part of the various topics to be addressed in our upcoming online marriage seminar slated to hold between June 19 and 20.

” We are also sensitizing our members by publishing self-defense techniques to help keep ourselves safe, but these will only go so far so we desperately need robust protection of the government on this matter, ” Aliyu said.

She disclosed that the organization had established a counseling unit dedicated to supporting women in distress with a view to encouraging survivors and families of the demised to seek professional help in dealing with the trauma.

She said, "We all must support victims and survivors rather than insinuate blame of any kind on them because absolutely nothing can excuse or justify such crimes.

"At sisters of Jannah, we are mourning the tragic loss of our member- Azeezat Shomuyiwa, a 27-year-old postgraduate student murdered in her apartment on June 4, despite being seven months pregnant.

"We are also mourning the murder and rape of Barakat Bello, the 18-year-old student recently stabbed and raped in her home.

"Similarly, we are mourning Uwaila Omozuwa, a 23-year-old student, raped and murdered as she studied in a place of worship, and for many more others that have been violently destroyed by heartless perpetrators in our country, ”