Activists Ask Federal Govt, States To Implement Laws Against Gender-based Violence

Gender-based activists have appealed to the federal and state governments to implement Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) laws.

They made the call at a symposium organised by Voice Nigeria Community of Practice (CoP) with the theme: “Unmasking the Different Faces of Gender-based Violence in Nigeria” in commemoration of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence” in Abuja.

One of the activists, Barr Bukola Ajao, in her presentation titled, “Legal framework/policy on VAWG”, said non-enforcement of the laws was responsible for the rising cases of gender- based violence in Nigeria.

She said the problem of Nigeria is not the absence of legal framework but the culture of silence and poor enforcement.

Ajao from Kaduna State said, “States have laws but enforcement is the challenge in these efforts, there are legal frameworks however, we have to be intentional about enforcement and implementation “

She, therefore, called on stakeholders to choose a specific area to intervene.

Another activist, Olawunmi Ifeoluwa, urged critical stakeholders to speak up against gender-based violence and join in the fight to end the menace.

The director, Gender Affairs in the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Friya Kimde Bulus, said the ministry as a national gender machinery will continue to advocate for a Nigeria fit for all, where women and girls are given a voice and space to excel.

She said, “Through the effort of the ministry, a directive has been given to establish specialised funds for the eradication of GBV in Nigeria.”

The ministry also launched the National GVB Data Collation Tool, to ease the problem of GBV data in the country, with directives that every partner and stakeholder should use the tool to collate and submit GBV data to the ministry for effective coordination and planning.

The director said the ministry has also setup National CSOs Emergency Response Team to assist in the just-concluded spotlight initiative issues, launched a toll-free line for the public to report cases of rape, violence and abuse (+234 8031230651 or +234 7053576528).

She said the initiative has strengthened access to justice and reduced waiting time for survivors and cut down on delayed justice.