As part of measures aimed at eliminating societal norms contributing towards Gender- Based Violence (GBV) in the country, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has said that it will collaborate with the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and other relevant government agencies, with a view to setting up mobile courts that will enable for speedy trial of persons involved in the act and subsequent punishment of offenders.
The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye made the disclosure Friday, while briefing journalists in Abuja as part of the 16 days of Activism, marking the International Day for the elimination of violence against women
She stated that when the courts become fully operational, it will ensure that people involved in such heinous acts are promptly arrested, prosecuted and punished accordingly so as to serve as deterant to others
Barrister Kennedy Ohanenye informed that the Ministry under her watch, will also intensify public enlightenment campaigns to sensitise the women, especially in the rural and remote areas across the country on the zero tolerance for Gender-Based Violence after which whistle blowers will be engaged to report back any case of child molestation or GBV in the environs.
While assuring of Government’s determination to develop more strategies towards
ensuring that Gender-Based Violence becomes eliminated in Nigeria, the Minister advised parents to continue to monitor their children and wards in order to notice when their moods and expressions alter so as to draw the attention of relevant agencies for immediate action as it is no longer going to be business as usual.
She therefore called on relevant government agencies and development partners to join hands with the Ministry in its effort towards the fight and elimination of every form of GBV in the country.
Speaking earlier,
the United Nations
Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale, called on the Federal Government to increase gender responsive budgeting and develop strategies to eliminate societal norms contributing to such violence
He observed that empowering women to be self-reliant and entrepreneurial will also go a long way in checking the rampant attacks on the women and children by pepertrators of Gender-Bssed Violence in the country.
