The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for the enactment and enforcement of stricter laws and punishments for perpetrators of rape, sexual abuse, and other forms of gender-based violence (GBV).
She made this call at the 1st Gender and Social Norms Summit organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with her office.
The First Lady noted that the summit provides a common platform, especially for stakeholders, including wives of state governors, to raise awareness, exchange lessons learned, and promote effective strategies for preventing and responding to GBV and other harmful practices.
“We must also develop state-specific action plans and promote the allocation of adequate resources in government budgets to support gender equality initiatives and GBV prevention programs. Each state has its unique cultural, social, and economic contexts, and our plans must reflect this diversity,” she said.
“There must be improved legislation to enforce appropriate punishments for perpetrators of rape, sexual abuse, and other forms of gender-based violence, who are dangerous and not deserving of roaming the streets. We have to not only speak firmly and tough but act accordingly.”
She decried the increasing number of rape cases and instances of gender-based violence, which she described as alarming. “Every single day, we hear about rape cases, even our babies are violated. Do we allow this trend to continue, or do we look the other way?”
“That is why I am calling on the law enforcement agencies, the Inspector General of Police, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Chairman of the National Assembly, who is the Senate President, to enact and enforce stiffer laws and punishments for perpetrators of rape, sexual abuse, and other forms of gender-based violence. No guilty party should be allowed to go free and start roaming the streets looking for the next victim.”
In their remarks, the Ministers for Education, Attorney General/Minister of Justice, Women Affairs, and Youth all supported ramping up awareness and ensuring that perpetrators do not go unpunished.
They noted that with improved education for girls, youth development, and women’s empowerment, there would be a significant reduction, if not total eradication, of these harmful practices.
UNFPA Gender/FGM Analyst Karima Bungudu, while presenting the works of UNFPA in Nigeria based on situational analysis, pointed out that nearly one in three Nigerian women have experienced some form of gender-based violence, including women with disabilities, who are more susceptible and vulnerable.
The prevalence of harmful practices, such as female genital mutilation and child marriage, which in some cases leads to vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), and other forms of violence against girls and women, remains unacceptably high.
The highlight of the event, which was attended by wives of state governors, state commissioners of women affairs and health, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders, was the signing of the Compact of Commitment by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and wives of state governors reaffirming their determination to end GBV and other harmful practices in their states.
