MWOW Calls For Strict Enforcement Of Customary Laws On Suicide

Modern Women of Wisdom Organization International(MWOW), a social advocacy group is advocating strict enforcement of customary laws on suicide by opinion leaders in the various communities to serve as a deterrent to those with suicidal thoughts.

According to the Group, reports indicate that most of the people who commit suicide do not know the negative omen they bring on themselves and the society .

Speaking to the media, the Director of the Counseling Unit of MWOW, Mrs Kate Jectson Pratt underscored the need for opinion leaders to enforce customary laws on suicide in the wake of high incidence of suicide in recent times.

She said traditional rulers must ensure that families do not organize befitting burials for suicide victims. There should as well be imposition of fines on relatives of victims as it was done in the olden days.

"Such burials should be quick and simple", she reiterated.

Again, Mrs Kate Jectson Pratt urged the Clergy to preach on the implications of suicide to their congregation.

She said Christians must remember that it is the Lord who "brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and he raises up" (1 Samuel 2:6).

"Our times are in the hands of the Lord. He gave us life; He is the one who will determine when it should cease. "We, as Christians, are to make the most of every opportunity that the Lord gives us, to make the most of the limited time of grace granted us on earth. We are not to cut that short. Taking our own life is no less a sin against the Fifth Commandment than is taking the life of another. Both are instances of murder", she stressed.

Again, she pleaded with Muslim scholars and clerics to educate their members of the Islamic faith to consider suicide forbidden.

Furthermore, Mrs Pratt called on all stakeholders at all levels of education to play active role in the fight against suicide. She said it's about time topics on suicide were included in curriculums to help educate students about suicide ideation and its risk factors.

She urged school authorities to form suicide prevention programs and intervention teams to lower suicide occurrences among students.

She advised people who feel anxious and depressed to take time out, eat balanced meal, avoid alcohol as it can trigger panic attacks, get enough sleep, exercise daily and seek professional counseling.

"Suicide is gaining prominence in our communities and there is the need for the society to act quickly" she said.

Call Mrs Kate Jectson Pratt
+447912365690