By Mekonen Tefere
Addis Ababa, December 12, 2014 (SSNA) — In a Panel Discussion organized by Mekane Yesus Management and Leadership College – Department of Gender and Development Studies on ‘Gender Based Violence’, Mr. Gatwech Koak Nyuon appeared with black T. Shirt and appealed to the Gender Experts to approach the Ethiopian Government to ratify law that shall grand full rights to the rape’s victims on health, legal action and safety.
The discussion witnessed a huge attendance from experts, Academicians, students, Government officials, NGOs and some stakeholders from different part of Ethiopia. Thousands of people gathered to lay down some strategies, which shall reduce the violence against women.
The turnout was triggered by the case of 16 years old teenager who was rape to death last month.
Five suspects were so far arrested, but under further investigation.
Gatwech suggested that the rape victims have to be given priority in term of treatment. “It should be good for the government to recognize the rape victims to be treated freely in every Hospitals in Ethiopia”, he said. Gatwech added that should a ‘toll free call’ has to be created for rape cases alone, that hot-line should serve as 911 in United States and would be helpful indeed.
Peace Ambassador said that he was very disturbed to learn about the case of Hanna Lalango, a 10th grade teenage girl who was kidnapped in daylight while she was heading home from school last month.
“The kidnappers threatened Hanna with a knife and kept her somewhere until it got dark. All five of them took turns raping her! One of the suspects kept her in his house and continued to rape her for five days.” A gender Expert and UNICEF Policy Advisor elaborated while presented a paper to the audiences.
Gatwech also suggested that the term in prison should be increase on the criminal who committed rape so that such an ideology should declineGatwech also added that Introduction to Gender Studies should be introduced at primary level as a subject if possible.
In his last remark, Peace Ambassador reminds the Ethiopian communities to pray for South Sudan and try anything they can to bring the senseless conflict to an end.
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