When Action Aid Mobilised Against Rapes

By GWG Staff

Action Aid Nigeria (AAN) has called on the Federal Government to mete stiffer punishment for perpetrators of rape and other similar crimes in order to serve as deterrent to people  who may want to indulge in such acts.

The Country Director of AAN, Ene Obi made the call at the Nasarawa Women Summit on preventing Violent Extremism organised by Action Aid Nigeria in collaboration with Global Peace Development (GPD), Beacon Youth Initiative (BYI) and Nasarawa State Government, funded by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF).

The call came in the wake of series of atrocities committed against  minors including  recent  defilement of a 3- month old baby, Rukayat Aliyu by a 27-year old Ahmadu Yaro in Adogi village in Lafia Local Government Area of the state.

Obi who was represented by the Manager, Humanitarian and Resilience , AAN,  Mr David Habba  said with the   atrocities committed against women and girls , there was need for the government to declare a state of emergency on rape cases in the country  as a  way  of protecting the fundamental human rights of its citizenry.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has further put women and girls in more danger.Records show that there is a worrying increase in sexual and gender- based violence against women since the pandemic began and the look down came into effect. Women have been abused and exposed to violence in the communities and even in their homes.

“Nasarawa State currently has the worst record case in rapes where a 3- month baby was defiled by a 27-year old man. This is never heard of in the history of this state or our nation. We must all condemn these acts of violence against women and society. The Issues of women and girl’s security are important, urgent and must be given adequate priority if we must move our state and country forward.”

“Marginalisation and exclusion of women in decision making process comes with great consequence both for women and society. With due recognition and representation of women and their tremendous contribution from home , to community, to governance space, the negative consequences that comes because of continued marginalisation, oppression and discrimination of women will be reduced to the minimal,” she said.

She, called on government institution to implement stiffer punishment for perpetrators of  rape and other similar crimes to serve as deterrent to others ,even as she appealed for more inclusion  of women in the in government as it will go along way in curbing violence in the state.

In a paper presentation, Barr Justina Allu who spoke on the topic “I am Generation Equality; Realising Women’s Right through inclusive participation”, said  adequate actions must be taken in order for the freedom of women and girls  to be achieved especially in area of education.

“Imagine a world where all people have equal right and opportunities. Women and girls are not afraid of walking home late at night, and men and boys are not trapped in oppressive masculinities. Imagine equality in political leadership and cooperate boardrooms and factory  floors. Women have equal rights to make  decisions  that affect their lives, their bodies , their policies and their environment, from villages to cities.

“Early marriage, poverty , displacement and domestic violence are vices that is seriously hindering women from developing and reaching their full potentialities  and stiffer punishment must be meted to parents who give out their child in marriage before completing at least secondary school education as it is in Child Right Law 2005.” Barr Allu said.

She, therefore called on government to grant automatic employment or scholarship for further  studies to victims of rape  while perpetrators should be severely punished with a death sentence as it will encourage victims to report perpetrators to the authority for proper actions against them.

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