IGP Baba, Aregbesola, Dame, Others Advocate Equal Rights For Women

The federal government has stressed the need to accord the nation’s women the respect and dignity they deserve, saying closing gender gaps between men and women in Nigeria will help create a more sustainable and inclusive society.

The Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali Baba, minister of interior Rauf Aregbesola, minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen and solicitor general of the Federation and Permanent Secretary (SGF/PS), Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, disclosed this during a series of advocacy visit organised by Accountability Lab, WRAPA and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to ensure acceptability and adoption of the National Gender Policy across all key MDAs in Nigeria.

They noted that one major issue affecting economic growth is gender equality.

Alkali Baba noted that the Police has been battling the issue of gender-based violence which prompted the establishment of a gender protection desk across all its offices in the country.

“Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are also given special attention. Stigmatisation and cultural background have been barriers as many people fail to report gender-based violence.

“Punishment must be meted out on perpetrators and there must be a move beyond the campaign to prosecution.

The cooperation of the judiciary is key to this. Victims must be given the confidence to speak up when they are violated.

Forced marriage should also be looked into,” he said.

He added that the police will continue to prosecute perpetrators of violence against women.

On her part, Pauline Tallen said 16 days of activism is not enough and the fight against gender-based violence should be every day.

She said proper implementation of gender policy.

“Illegal trafficking of children and women must be tackled,” she said.

Aregbesola noted that Islam promotes equality amongst women and men.

“It’s logically insane to bring injury to your fellow person, particularly women. It’s unreasonable to maltreat women. Women must be respected and honored as they represent creation. If women are properly recognised and managed, the level of criminality will be minimal.

“If you want to address criminality, women must be adequately engaged. Capital punishment isn’t as effective as people thought in solving societal challenges or gender-based violence. We must not relent in advocacy against gender-based violence and every other violence.”

More so, Jeddy-Agba said the Ministry of Justice has been doing a lot in justice dispensation.

“There should be a proper framework for capacity building of officers,” she said.