Group tasks police on women's rights

A non-governmentalorganisation(NGO), Ipas, has urged the Nigeria Police to study the issues which affect women in order to ensure justice.The Country Director of Ipas, Dr Ejike Oji, made the plea at a workshop organised by the organisation for officers and men of Ogun Police Command in Abeokuta.The workshop was entitled: 'Sexual and reproductive health and rights of women.'The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Ipas is dedicated to improving the condition of women through focus on reproductive health and reduction of maternal mortality rate.Oji said the police were seen as the last resort for a battered woman in need of justice.He said that the police had the responsibility of administering justice and should see themselves as part of the solutions to issues concerning women.'When a woman is battered and goes to the police station, the police should understand that that woman sees them as the last resort. They should not turn that woman away.'They must work with that woman to seek ways of making sure the husband doesn't continue to batter her,' Oji said.The Ipas boss said that the police should be seen as arbitrators and not 'home breakers.''' The police should possess skills to negotiate a good benefit for women to ensure that they prevent battery,' Oji added..DCP Emmanuel Ojukwu of the Crimes Department, Federal Capital Territory, urgedparticipants and policemen to see themselves as life savers.
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