FIC Report (Nasarawa State) – Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has suggested death by hanging for perpetrators of rape, stressing that the punitive measure will deter anyone willing to go into the growing rape phenomenon.
She noted that no community should condone rape and other gender-based violence, adding that women affairs ministry is working towards strengthening its legal framework for better enforcement.
The women affairs minister made this known in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, in commemorate of the 16 Days of Activism.
She tasked women and other key players to come together to condemn violence, adding that the federal government has a renewed commitment to upholding sanity and gender-based dignity.
In his remarks, Governor Abdullahi Sule hailed the women affairs minister for giving back to society, encouraging her to build on the tempo of what she is known for.
Gov. Sule said gender-based violence calls for robust stakeholders’ collaboration to defeat the scourge, threatening the survival of a gender-friendly society.
Delivering her speech, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Rufai Ibrahim called on the citizens to break the culture of silence, which causes prevailing gender-based violence, commending Gov. Abdullahi Sule, the women affairs minister and partners for working closely with the government to stem the tide of the rape phenomenon.
Elimination of gender-based violence (GBV) is advocated for as part of the United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism against crimes such as rape, domestic violence, early marriage, physical and sexual assault, female genital mutilation amongst others.
The Nigerian Constitution 1999, as amended, has also made provisions for the promotion, protection, and enforcement of the rights of all, including women and girls.
Gender-based violence remains one of the most widespread human rights violations, with nearly one in three women worldwide experiencing physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.
The event was attended by the state’s first lady, Silifat Abdullahi Sule, prominent women in and outside government, development partners, women and youth groups, professional bodies including the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) amongst others.
Signed
ARI, LIMAN AMINU.
HEAD OF CENTRE,
FIC, LAFIA.
