Old women
By Ikenna Osuoha
Sen. Eze Ajoku, the President, Coalition Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN), has described violence against women especially older women as severe human rights abuse.
Ajoku said this in commemoration of International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
He noted that violence against older women in particular was driven by ageism and sexism as well as other factors as marital status or disability.
The coalition president who called for stronger synergy to end the crime, said collective responsibilities as individuals was paramount in achieving the desired goal.
Ajoku canvassed for commitment among stakeholders towards improving the funding, data collection aimed at eradicating all forms of violence against women as well as providing rehabilitation to survivors.
This years theme which is entitled Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent and Collect, together with global community, we are amplifying the call for global action to bridge funding gaps.
Ensure essential services for survivors of violence during COVID-19 crisis, focus on prevention and collection of data that can improve lifesaving services for women and girls, he said.
The coalition leader explained that violence against women and older women in particular was deeply rooted to prejudices, dehumanising stereotypes.
He however condemned some social norms and cultural beliefs that tolerated or condoned awful acts of violence and called for change.
According to him, violence against older women comes in different shades in form of physical abuse or verbal in the home.
Ajoku said: An older woman might be accused of witchcraft and attacked or even murdered by members of her community.
He explained that violence against women might be in form of denial of rights and access to her privileges especially older women who were denied of rights of acquisition or inheritance.
Ajoku regretted the unavailability of data on the traumatic experience of women especially older women.
It is disheartening to note that according to World Health Organisation, just 59 per cent countries have laws to prevent older abuse and only 30 per cent of these are enforced.
Meanwhile, domestic violence legislation does not specifically include older women, so let us all rise to fund, respond, protect and correct the ills in our society.
NAN reports that according to the UN Population Fund, one in every three women and girls suffers violence daily globally. (NAN)
Source: NAN News