A Kano-based NGO, Public Defenders Office, which provides free legal services to the less-privileged, has expressed concern over the rising cases of rape among women most especially teenagers.
The Administration Officer of the organisation, Mrs Rotkang Kuynnia, said this at a one-day campaign organised to sensitise the public at Hagagawa primary school in Bichi Local Government Area of Kano State on Sunday.
She said the issue of rape among teenagers was becoming worrisome and must be fought to an end.
Kyunni said providing free legal services to the less-privileged was necessary in order to ginger their confidence that they have what it takes to claim their inalienable rights legally.
According to her, the Public Defenders Office had been working hard to ensure that the rights of the down trodden was not trampled upon with impunity.
“With the free legal services being offered by the office, many intractable cases and family disputes were settled either through amicable consultation or legal means.
“We are here to sensitise the public on what really constitutes one’s fundamental human rights and seek ways and means to fight for it.
“We understand that many people are ignorant of what constitutes their rights under the law. We want them to understand and forge ahead with what is supposed to be done in waging the crusade,” she said.
She urged all those with genuine complaints to go to their office in Kano and lodge complaint as they had been receiving cases of gross human rights violations from those who felt oppressed.
“We are always attending to them and we have recorded tremendous achievements in that regard. The issue of rape among women, most especially teenagers, is becoming a disturbing phenomenon and we must rise against it,” she said.
She said stemming the tide of rape cases was the responsibility of parents, traditional rulers and security agencies,adding we must all get prepared to face the task.
“When we receive complaints of despicable sexual abuse, we are ready to take it up legally. the law will take its course against any culprit found to have committed such heinous act,” she added.
She, therefore, called on traditional rulers and elders in the area to rise up to the challenge in order to stop oppressing and victimising the less-privileged in the siciety.(NAN)
