The Women Ministries (WMs) of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Abia North-Central Conference (ABNC) has taken its campaign against all forms of violence to major streets of Umuahia, Abia State capital city.
The women, who converged on Okpara Square, marched through Gate to Lagos Street, connected Azikiwe Road, moved to Ikot Ekpene Road through School Road and terminated at Ogurube Layout.
Addressing newsmen, the WMs Director, Eastern Nigeria Union Conference (ENUC) of the church, Mrs Gladys Nwokocha called for the enactment of stronger legislation that would end all forms of violence against humanity.
Nwokocha said that the church was bothered by the increase in all forms of violence, especially, those targeted at the vulnerable people.
The WMs director said that the church was not comfortable at the spate of violence that had enveloped parts of the country.
She mentioned some of the various forms of violence against humanity to include domestic violence, psychological violence, sexual violence, financial violence and verbal abuse.
Others are child marriage, trafficking and abuse, rape, deaths arising from insecurity.
“That is the reason for this ‘End it Now’ awareness campaign by our women. We must stop all manner of violence within and outside the home because they are against the principles of God.
“We call on governments at all levels to strengthen existing legislations or come up with new ones that will discourage the rising spate of violence,” she said.
Nwokocha said that some of the ills could have their foundations on the way parents train their children and called on parents and guardians not to abdicate their duties.
“Most families seem to have abandoned their roles. Therefore, we call on our parents and religious institutions to channel their efforts toward the moral development of their wards and members,” Nwokocha said.
The women carried placards some of which read: 'Stop Domestic Violence', Stop Child Marriage', Stop Sexual Violence', 'Say ‘No' to Rape' among others.
The highlights of the awareness campaign were the distribution of soul-inspiring Christian literatures and rendition of spirit-filled songs.