Remove Mentally Ill Women From Streets – Tijanni

A human rights activist, Hajia Ramatu Tijanni has called for the protection of mentally ill women walking around the streets from rapists and ritualists.

Hajia Tijjani made the call in Kaduna urging the government at all levels to evacuate mentally ill women from the streets and provide them with access to healing/ recovery centres.

She stressed that mentally ill women and girls have the same right to protection as other citizens.

Hajia Tijanni further expressed concern that mental illness often leads to the deprivation of a woman’s basic human and civic rights.

She lamented that mentally ill women are frequently abused, subjected to rape, sexual assaults, and physical violence.

She called on NGOs, civil society organisations, corporate bodies and religious organisations to collaborate on initiatives that promote mental health through mainstream health promotion activities.

“Addressing the stigma associated with mental illness and mental health problems would contribute to creating a compassionate society that promotes social justice, equity and access to the rights of persons with mental illness,” she said.

Tijanni therefore appealed to Nigerians to support mentally ill people and also provide them with a sense of belonging.