WRAPA Urges Speedy Trials For Violence Against Women Cases

The Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative has urged the judiciary to fast-track the prosecution of cases involving violence against women and girls, warning that delayed justice weakens deterrence against offenders.

The Senior Programme Officer of WRAPA, Habiba Ahmed, made the call while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of a practice dialogue on ending Violence Against Women and Girls and the public presentation of research reports and case studies held in Abuja, yesterday.

Ahmed said prompt prosecution of offenders would not only ensure justice for victims but also serve as a strong warning to perpetrators.

She said, “We are calling on the judiciary to please expedite more effort in ensuring that the cases of violence against women and girls are being prosecuted on time so that it serves as a learning point and also serves as a deterrent for perpetrators.”

Ahmed explained that the case studies, the outcomes of WRAPA’s research, were designed to guide civil society organisations, government agencies, and policy actors in developing strategies for collaborating with community stakeholders to address gender-based violence.

She stressed that domestic violence remains a collective societal problem that requires coordinated action from government, families and communities.

According to her, “Domestic violence against men and women is the issue of the states, the government, policy makers, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters. It is a collective thing that we need to stand together and address.”

She added that religious and cultural leaders should be seen as key partners rather than obstacles in the fight against gender-based violence.

“Leaders of faith and culture are not the issue when it comes to violence against women and girls. They are actors that we could leverage on to prevent it from happening,” she said.

Ahmed further emphasised the need for coordinated responses, urging stakeholders to speak with one voice to address the menace.

Also speaking, WRAPA Director of Programmes, Yemisi Nathaniel, said the organisation convened the dialogue to present findings from action-based research and identify effective preventive measures against violence.

Nathaniel said the forum brought together key stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations, religious and traditional leaders, members of the judiciary, lawyers, media practitioners and civil society advocates.

She noted that the gathering aimed to examine existing evidence, review past challenges and explore emerging trends in combating violence against women and girls.

Nathaniel said, “We have been there; this is the evidence. How do we continue building on evidence, avoid the challenges of the past, and look at evolving trends? How do we collectively get to a point of zero tolerance of violence against women and girls in our community?”

She disclosed that participants were divided into four groups: civil society, legal practitioners, legal reform and policy experts, and other core stakeholders, to deliberate on strategies to address the issue.

Nathaniel stressed that efforts to end gender-based violence must begin from the family level, adding that societal institutions, including schools, religious bodies and community structures, play crucial roles in shaping values.

She said raising children without gender bias could promote equity and reduce violence in society.

Lead Consultant at Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, Solomon Agbonhulu, also advocated a blend of faith-based and legal approaches in tackling violence against women and girls.

Agbonhulu said addressing root causes such as poverty, lack of education and economic dependence remained key to curbing the menace.

“I believe that a blend of faith and law goes a long way in reducing or addressing this scourge of violence against women and girls,” he said.

He added that empowering the girl child through education and economic opportunities would significantly reduce vulnerability to abuse.