For this year’s 16 Days Global Activism Against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) to protect womanhood, stakeholders have gathered to mark the event at the national, and sub national levels all geared towards given adequate protection and attention against domestic violence of all forms , shapes and dimensions.
The 2024 program tagged “No Excuse ” was an opportunity to review and reform policies directed and domesticated against violence prone women in the society.
It was also an event by the stakeholders to welcome the new Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman -Ibrahim fsi assuring her of their collective resolve to work with her , having been given ample space to drive the ministry to the promise land .
To mark the occasion for this year’s 16 Days Global Activism Against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), the Minister in her volition advocated life in prison for those involved in sexual abuse against women in Nigeria.
According to her , this will not only serve as deterent to others , but discourage any form of sexual abuses in all ramifications.
While advocating for life sentence for culprits, Imaan Suleiman -Ibrahim fsi promised to work with relevant authorities to ensure the policy came on board and to give women some level of protection and sense of belongings in Nigeria under the law .
Violence against women goes beyond homes , families , offices , among many others , while stressing the need to rejig the “Violence act” been proposed before the National Assembly to ensure it’s passage along with the new position of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, as well as the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under his Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the Minister , the exposure of women to all violence prone activities has reached its crescendo, hence concerted and concrete decisions must be put in place to continue to protect Nigerian women under the country’s law and regulations.
Reviewing the magnitude of the domestic violence activities against women , she stated that the domestication of all anti women programs was not enough to protect , hence a legal framework that will give a blanket protection to our women.
While advocating for the law, she also promised to embark on more awareness, sensitization, and programs that will educate violators and perpetrators of domestic violence against women in the society.
Efforts are also been intensified to organize seminars, symposiums, workshops, talkshops that will prioritize safety regulations for women under the country’s law , and encourage the practice under any other circumstances.
The Minster , Imaan Suleiman -Ibrahim fsi also used to challenge the state governments and local governments not to mark the occasion alone , but ensure it is characterised with all forms of activities designed from the first day to the last day tagged , Human Rights day.
She maintained that the protection of women in all forms and shapes cannot be overemphasized, hence the need for stakeholders to continue to collaborate against any act inimical to the welfare of womanhood in the society.
While commending the global body for their usual awareness and intervention, she promised to continue to deploy all necessary government machinery to synergise with the international communities and local collaborators.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
