In commemoration of the 16 days of activism against gender based violence, the Wife of the Governor of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti has called on all residents of the State to join hands in the fight, and help end the scourge of baby factories in the State.

The Abia first lady who made the call in Umuahia during a Press conference launching the 16 days of activism against gender based violence, said the fight is aimed at empowering women and girls in order to build a safer, more inclusive and prosperous State.

Mrs. Otti maintained that the State government is doing everything within its powers to ensure that the rights of girls, women and minors are adequately protected, revealing that the process of re-accrediting all motherless  babies' homes in the State and announced plans to translate the Violence Against Persons Prohibition law to Igbo and Pidgin languages to help residents better understand their rights and protections under the law.

She pointed out that Governor Alex Otti led administration has zero tolerance for gender based violence,  and added that Abia State cannot be a safe haven for individuals or groups operating baby factories or child trafficking. 

"Gender based violence in all its forms, is a grave violation of fundamental human rights whether it manifests as domestic violence, female genital mutilation, child marriage, sexual harassment,  or human trafficking. It dehumanise individuals, especially women and girls, and stunts the growth and development of our communities. 

"Through my office, and with the support of strong partnerships, we have made significant strides in this fight. In June 2023, we rescued 21 pregnant teenage girls from an illegal charity home in Umunkpeyi, Nvosi, Isialangwa South local government area. These girls were victims of child trafficking, driven into their plight by poverty. After months of rehabilitation and stabilization through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, we reunited them with their families and ensured that the illegal home was permanently shut down.

"We have also successfully arrested a pastor who was found violating his own daughter, and the case is currently being prosecuted in court. In addition, we have made significant strides in dismantling baby trafficking networks within the State, recovering stolen babies on multiple occasions. 

Adding her voice, the desk officer gender based violence unit of the State Criminal Investigation department, Umuahia Mrs. Leticia Onyechere-Onwuchekwa lauded the administration of Governor Alex Otti for the vision, and promised to collaborate with the wife of the governor in the fight against gender based violence, and advised mothers to always encouraged their girls to report anyone that will want to take advantage of them.