BY OLA AJAYI

IBADAN—NINETY-FOUR years old Zonta International has set machinery in motion to convince rape victims to forget the issue of stigma and come forward so that culprits would be dealt with.

This emerged at a briefing organised by District 18, Zonta International in Ibadan yesterday.

According to the District 18 Governor, Mrs. Gloriastene Agboola, Zontians campaign against all forms of discrimination against women and the girl-child, and raise funds for their programmes.

She said: “We will try to do something that would make rape victims come forward. We will see if we can eradicate the issue of stigma.

“If they feel nothing would happen to offenders, they would not see reason why they should come forward.”

Mrs Agboola explained that as part of activities marking the commencement of district conferences, held every odd numbered year, “this year, District 18 is holding its conference here in Ibadan.

“We shall meet from April 17 to 20 at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.”

She noted that delegates would come from the 16 clubs in the district, saying the countries involved are Senegal, Sierra Leone, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Burkina Fasso, Benin Republic and Nigeria.

Agboola noted that there was no surge or reduction in violence against women and children.

At the event were Dr. Sade Ajasin, President, Zonta Club of Ibadan; Mrs. Stella Ladipo, past President, club 11, among others.