ABUBAKAR YUNUS,Abuja
The Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED) has called upon the Federal Government, critical stakeholders, and governance actors to give meaning and life to the words enshrined in the nation’s constitution, as well as the provisions against gender-based violence.
Also called on the institutions such as Nigeria Police Force, Ministries, and also departments charged with Women Affairs at all government level concerned agencies to develop and implement policies and laws to end violence and discrimination against women in Nigeria.
Group Executive Director, Comrade Dr. Ibrahim M.Zikirullahi made the call during the official flag-off of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence organized ( CHRICED with the theme, “Unite To End Violence against Women and Girls, in Abuja, on Friday.
Executive Director said this is the right time for Nigeria to activate the whole government, whole of society approach to stop the pandemic of violence against women and girls.
While Civil society is working hard to raise awareness about how women can avoid becoming victims of aggressors, the State government must wake up to its responsibility of protecting the lives of vulnerable, marginalized groups, especially women.
According to him, through various initiatives, CHRICED and its partners have been able to contribute to addressing scores of cases, especially cases of rape, domestic violence, abandonment, and discrimination against women.
“Women who are victims of sexual and gender-based violence, SGBV, are frequently subjected to dehumanization and derogatory profiling.
“CHRICED has documented instances in which victims of SGBV were asked to make payments before a police case file could be opened for them, as well as other unacceptable situations in which a law enforcement officer would request transportation fare to go and arrest a perpetrator.
“The above reality points to a situation in which the State and its institutions fail to protect the rights of vulnerable women, particularly those who are poor and socially marginalized”, he said.
He condemned this killing and calls on law enforcement agencies to get to the root of this murder, apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice, saying it exemplifies the wave of violence against women in the political process.
