As the call to end Sexual and Gender-based Violence heightens, the Federal Government has reassured of its commitment to protect women and girls against vice as well as advancing their rights.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, made this known at a symposium held to commemorate 16 days of activism against GBV, organised by the Voice Communities of Practice in Abuja.
Kennedy-Ohanenye, who was represented by the Principal Community Development Officer in the Gender Affairs Department, Mr Edo Ekata, said the issue of GBV is a global menace.
She said, “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 of women have experienced physical violence during pregnancy.
“However, the ministry as a national gender machinery was leaving no stone unturned as we continued 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.”
Kennedy-Ohanenye said the ministry had taken giant steps to stem the menace of SGBV by launching the sex offender Register aimed at naming and shaming GBV perpetrators.
According to her, the inauguration of the National GVB Data Collation Tool is 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,” she added
Others things done, she revealed, include the inauguration of a Toll Free Line (+234 8031230651 or +234 7053576528) for the public to report cases of rape, establishment of National Situation Room and Dashboard that reports real time figures on a daily basis.
The minister noted that through the effort of the Ministry, a directive had been given to establish specialised funds for the eradication of GBV in Nigeria.
The Minister of Health, Professor Ali Pate, on his part, expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to tackle GBV in the country.
Pate, who was represented by the Chief Health Assistant, Nwankwo Okezie, said several forms of GBV are coming up in disguise and are yet to be reported in the media/
He appealed for the support of all stakeholders to fight them, adding that the ministry was also involved in capacity building, management of survivors of GBV, and partnership of all stakeholders.
A Legal Practitioner, Mrs Bukola Ajao, stressed the need for collaboration between states and CSOs for the effective implementation of the VAPP Act.
She said, “The legal framework is 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 can push a little, that is when the VAPP Act will work.”
One of the participants, Mr Chucks Kelsey, called on parents to always keep an eye on their children to avoid them being molested, especially by those close to them.
He also said they should encourage their children to speak up when violated or harassed.
Speaking also, a representative of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, Mrs Hajara Abu, said that they are committed to fighting and eliminating GBV.