GBV: FG restates obligation to protect women, girls’ rights

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to protect women and girls against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and the advancement of their rights.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, stated this at a  symposium to commemorate 16 days of activism against GBV organised by the Voice Communities of Practice (CoP), in Abuja.

Kennedy-Ohanenye, represented by the Principal Community Development Officer in Gender Affairs Department, Mr Edo Ekata, said the issue of GBV remained a global menace.

“Statistics show that one in three of all women and girls aged 15-49 have been victims of violence and one in every five have experienced physical violence in Nigeria.

“Also 31 per cent have experienced sexual violence while five per cent women have experienced physical violence during pregnancy,” she said.

Kennedy-Ohanenye, however, said the ministry as a national gender machinery was leaving no stone unturned as we continue to advocate that Nigeria was fit for all.

“Nigeria is a place where women and girls are given a voice and space to excel.

“Our strength as a nation has always been in our diversity as represented by the estimated population of 200 million Nigerians, with women making up almost 50 per cent.

“Our unity is in our cultural heritage made popular by Nigerian women through our rich music, dance, dressing etc.

“Protecting women’s voices and promoting their rights is a collective responsibility.

“I am optimistic that with the support of relevant stakeholders and with everyone playing their parts we will bring GBV and other gender-based related cases to the barest minimum,” she said.

Kennedy-Ohanenye said the ministry had taken giant steps to stem the tide of the ugly menace by including launch of the sex offender Register aimed at naming and shaming GBV perpetrators.

She said the inauguration of the National GVB Data Collation Tool for  stakeholders to collate and submit GBV data to the ministry for effective coordination and planning.

“Set up National CSOs Emergency Response Team,  strengthen of access to justice and reduce waiting time for survivors”.

Others ,according to her, include the inauguration of a Toll Free Line (+234 8031230651 or +234 7053576528) for the public to report on the cases of rape, establishment of National Situation Room and Dashboard that reports real time figures on a daily basis.

She added that through the effort of the Ministry, a directive had been given to establish specialized funds for the eradication of GBV In Nigeria.

The Minister of Health, Prof Ali, Pate also expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to tackle GBV in the country.

Pate, represented by Chief Health Assistant, Nwankwo Okezie, said there were several forms of GBV that are coming up in disguise yet to be reported in the media, but also needed support of all stakeholders to fight.

Pate said that the ministry was also involved in capacity building, management of survivors of GBV, and partnership of all stakeholders to address.

A Legal Practitioner, Mrs Bukola Ajao, stressed the need for collaboration between states and CSOs for the effective implementation of the VAPP Act.

“The legal framework are there but until we are intentional about the implementation we will not achieve much.

“The CSOs also need to be coordinated about it. Until we are able to push a little that is when the VAPP Act will work,” Ajao said.

One of the participants, Mr Chucks Kelsey, also advised parents to keep an eyes on their children to avoid them being molested by people who claimed to be close to them.

Kesley also advised them to encourage their children to speak up when they are violated or harassed.

Mrs Hajara Abu, representative of Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, said that the federation was committed to fighting and eliminating GBV, especially at the rural areas.