Sexual Violence: British High Commission Laments Increased Cases in Nigeria

Sexual Violence: British High Commission Laments Increased  Cases in Nigeria


Today, the British High Commission has declared that lack of statistical
details and poor implementation of the relevant laws, are the
reasons the incidences of violence against women are high in the
country.

The commission also charged the federal government to embark on
awareness campaign on the existence of the law, adding that adequate
statistics should be provided for government to prepare legal and
final frameworks on how to eradicate the menace.

The Communication Manager and Political Adviser, British Deputy High
Commission, Mr Wale Adebajo, said  this at a
stakeholders’ workshop on the ‘Violence against  Persons
Prohibition Act, 2015 organised by  New Initiative for Social
Development.

Adebajo said it was quite disheartening that most Nigerians,
whose interest the law passed by the National Assembly in 2015 after
13 years of its proposition, were oblivious of its existence, which he
said had been scuttling intentions to tackle the menace.

“In Nigeria, with special focus in South west, there is no
statistical data on sexual violence the government can work with for
proper planning, as institutions are very weak in rising up to tackle
the issue of sexual violence. Also, the citizens have no access to the law.

“The political will and low capacity of actors were also limiting
the progress on actions against this problem.

“Human rights and protection of the rights of women are at the heart
of British Government’s foreign policy. The United Kingdom Government promotes gender equality and tackles violence against women and girl-child as a matter of principle.

"We are campaigning to raise awareness, rally global action promote
international coherence and increase the political will and capacity
of states to do more,” she said.

The acting Southwest Regional Coordinator, British Department for
International Development, Mrs Margaret Fagboyo, also identified local
customs, traditional beliefs and value system as those factors
accentuating violence against women in Nigeria.

She expressed happiness that the new law comprehensively addressed
medical,  psychological, social and legal assistance by accredited
service providers and government agencies for the victims with their
identities protected during court cases.

Fagboyo appealed to the federal government to see to the full
implementation of the law to protect the vulnerable groups.

The Coordinator of NISD, Mr  Abiodun Oyeleye, said available
statistics show that the southern states top the list in sexual
violence cases, with Ekiti State topping the list in the South-west with an
average of 6.6 percent.