Vulnerability is Sacred!

Women, children, older people and people with disabilities constitute the most fragile segment of the population. The United Nations system as well as other human rights organizations is not indifferent to the sensitivity of this group, reason why there exist a plethora of laws aimed at ensuring their protection. Resolution 3,318 of the UN General Assembly of 14 December 1974, states inter alia that; “attacks and bombings on the civilian population, inflicting incalculable suffering, especially on women and children, who are the most vulnerable members of the population, shall be prohibited, and such acts shall be condemned.”  Irked by the escalation of the socio-political crisis in the North West and South West Regions and the insurgencies of the Boko Haram sect in the Far North Region, all of which have led to gruesome disrespect of the sacred nature of the vulnerable population especially women and children, the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family decided to organize a ceremony accompanied by nationwide demonstration against the said improprieties. 
Considered generally as people with a special status, women and children in crisis situations remain the untouchables. They are considered innocent until the contrary is proven. Even though there has been general condemnation of the killings in the North West and South West Regions, the killing of women and children has raised more concern among government and human rights groups.  Memories remain fresh on the shocking video widely circulated on social media where three suspected separatist fighters in Muyuka, South-West region, beat and dragged a 35-year-old woman, identified as Comfort Tumassang by the government, over the ground with her hands tied behind her back on August 11. Dust is yet to settle following the rape and gruesome murder of Florence Ayafor in Pinyin, North West Region. In the same vein, on August 10, 2020, a video of a lady killed and abandoned on Mezam Bridge went viral on Facebook. Few days later another video of a girl, identified as Treasure Keno, showed her l...