The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, has stated that the Federal Government was unwaveringly committed to the protection of children and the promotion of safe learning environments in schools. He emphasized that education was the fundamental rights of every child and that the government would spare no effort in safeguarding it and as well holding accountable those who seek to violate it.
Fagbemi stated this in Abuja today 7th February, 2024 during the launch of Standard Operating Procedure for the Prosecution of Perpetrators of School Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV) cases in Nigeria which was developed by Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Education and funded by UNESCO.
According to the HAGF “the initiative underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to the protection of children and the promotion of safe learning environments. Every child has the right to receive an education free from fear, intimidation, and violence. We must spare no effort in safeguarding this fundamental right and holding accountable those who seek to violate it”.
Fagbemi revealed that “according to UNESCO, School -Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV) include Gender Based Violence occurring in schools, around school or as a result of school relationship(s). It is perpetrated based on gender norms or stereotypes and enforced by unequal power dynamics. SRGBV includes physical violence, sexual violence and psychological violence, such as verbal abuse, teacher-perpetrated abuse, including excessive corporal punishment, sexual harassment or sexual coercion, bullying by peers, rape, physical assault, sexual assault, discrimination among others”.
“From available statistics, SRGBV is highly prevalent in the primary and secondary schools across every region in the Country. It has devastating consequences for victims including low self-esteem, depression, early and unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, as well as disruption or termination of education. It also increases the probability of victims experiencing or perpetrating violence in future”. He further revealed.
The HAGF also pointed out that, at the moment, Perpetrators were at best subjected to administrative sanctions such as suspension and dismissal and were rarely prosecuted for those heinous crimes. Therefore, he restated the government’s commitment to confronting the scourge head-on and ensure that perpetrators were brought to justice swiftly and decisively. The HAGF added that Federal Ministry of Justice was committed to providing access to justice for all persons while the Federal Ministry of Education was determined to nurture the development of all citizens to achieve their full potential.
Fagbemi was optimistic that “the launch of this Standard Operating Procedure therefore represents a significant milestone in our collective efforts to address SRGBV effectively. By providing clear guidelines and protocols for the prosecution of perpetrators, we aim to streamline the legal process, enhance coordination among relevant stakeholders, and ultimately deliver justice for victims”.
The SOP was to ensure a proper response to the menace, particularly accountability of perpetrators through successful prosecutions with a multi-sectoral response to guide Schools in handling cases. Its objectives are; Facilitating child-sensitive SRGBV investigations, prosecutions and court procedures; integration of SRGBV into national policies and education sector plans; Support tailored response in key MDAs by developing a monitoring and evaluation mechanism for assessment of progress in response to SRGBV cases; Ensuring standards of professional practice are prescribed and followed concerning confidentiality, information sharing protocols, recording of sensitive information and avoiding conflicts of interest; Raising awareness among all key stakeholders about SRGBV and the referral pathways; and other numerous objectives.
“I therefore, urge all law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, judicial officers, educators, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to familiarize themselves with the provisions outlined in the Standard Operating Procedure. It is incumbent upon us all to ensure its effective implementation and to work collaboratively towards the eradication of SRGBV in our schools and communities”. Fagbemi added.
The Honourable Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman SAN, in his keynote address commended the HAGF and Ministry of Justice for the successful completion and launch of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). He noted that the development would not only help to address but also reduce incidences of School -Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV).
He posited that School -Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV) has been a major constraint to school enrolment and attendance especially at the lower levels of education. The Minister promised to ensure that the document got the widest publicity it deserved.
In his welcome address, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko Esq, thanked UNESCO for providing the necessary funds which culminated into the launch and public presentation of the document. He stated that the implementation of the SOP document would provide a routine mechanism to respond to SRGBV cases which would facilitate the establishment of a clear, safe, confidential and accessible mechanism for the prosecution of cases and guaranteed the protection of children.
In her remarks, the Head SGBV Response Unit, Mrs Yewande Gbola-Awopetu stated that the SOP became an imperative sequel to the inability to prosecute perpetrators of SRGBV cases in the past. She revealed that the document was a brain child of a committee drawn from Federal Ministry of Justice, Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Police Force, six principals of Federal Unity Schools each from the six Geo-Political Zones, Protect the Child Foundation and UNESCO.
Her remarks were followed by a vote of thanks from the Legal Adviser, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Blessing Azorbo.
Aderemi Adelabu
For: Director (Information)
Federal Ministry of Justice
