…As First Lady Launches Sex Offenders Registry, July
By Chigozie Uzosike, Owerri
To checkmate the rate of poorly equipped Orphanage Homes in Imo State, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare ministry, Hon. Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu, UNJP has set machinery in motion to ensure that the Orphanage Homes do their work within the operational guidelines.
This is even as the wife of Imo State Governor, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma has moved to set up Sex Offenders Registry that would be used by the ministry to curtail the rate of sexual abuses and gender based violence in the state.
Speaking to all the Departmental Heads of the Women Affairs and Social Welfare, the Commissioner, Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu, UNJP who relayed the vision of the Governor’s wife to the management team of the ministry hinted that given the rate of sexual abuse of the girl child, there’s need to invoke relevant sections of Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPP).
Ugwu stated that the Governor’s wife is poised to create an environment that makes it difficult for social offenders to operate. She posited that the sex offender register is for convicted sex offenders only and is projected to be launched in July.
Furthermore, the ministry will do monthly reports on cases in courts. “Once someone contravenes the sections of VAPP law regarding the abuse of the girl child, widowhood harmful practices, rape, defilement, battering among others and charged to court, the person’s name and picture will be published as current affairs and news”
Read also:Imo Clerk Assures Non Governmental Association For Women For Support.
The Commissioner reiterated that the activities of Orphanage Homes in the state will be monitored. She said no new homes would be registered until the old ones go through the process of recertification.
