Perpetrators Of Gender Based Violence Must Be Exposed- Divisional Delegate

By Velma Etock Etangwo

 

The Divisional Delegate of Women Empowerment and the family for Fako, Madam Ashu Veronica Nkwenti, has said perpetrators of Gender Based Violence must be brought to book.

She was speaking in Limbe last September 2 during an event aimed at donating food items and cash to some Internally Displaced.

The Divisional Delegate, in her intervention, explained that the women empowerment center is not only there for the interest of only women but rather for the entire population.

The seasoned Social Worker took her time to tell The Advocate how she feels about Gender Based Violence.

According to her, that act of Gender Based Violence does not apply only to women but also to men because there are some men being abused by their wives and in such cases these women should be reported so they too should be punished.

She said on a daily basis she receives cases of how young girls and teenagers are being violated, adding that Gender Based Violence has become the order of the day in recent times.

“Gender Based Violence  does not only mean being harassed sexually but rather anything done to someone forcefully or something the other party does not feel comfortable doing.” She said.

She went on to explain that it could either be husband or wife battering, talking to someone in not such a good tone, treating someone with or giving someone less attention which to her is mostly common amongst couples.

Kwenti Veronica corroborated herself with the example of a couple living in the same house, the husband being the bread winner of the family, who is supposed to take care of the family fails in his duty and especially when he does so willfully.

To her, such a case should be reported to the center and he will be disciplined.

The Delegate went further to advice parents that in case they notice any form of Gender Based Violence in their homes they should not cover it up simply because they might think they are just children.

She said this is because these children inculcate this and grow up with the habit.

The Delegate explained that concluded that parents should start giving their young children sex education especially to those who are yet to do so.

Also present at the occasion was Lesley Bih, who was invited to give a talk to some of the beneficiaries on how these women can start keeping track of every expense they make in their businesses.

 She said the secret of this is called "Book Keeping" which is simply a book that has the records of every expenditure, sale and balance which will help them know whether they are making a loss or a gain.

Lesley Bih also said this will help them know if they should either drop the business or continue with it.            

It should be noted that the event was organized by the Henrietta Nkongchu Foundation and intended to donate to internally displaced women and young girls.

Speaking to the Advocate, one of the beneficiaries extended her heartfelt gratitude for the wonderful opportunity given to her by the foundation to be part of the donation.

The beneficiary said she encourages young women and mothers to be part of this wonderful foundation.