The Nigerian government has taken a key step in tackling the prevalence of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the country.
Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, says the spike in sexual and gender-based violence cases is having devastating social and economic costs on Nigeria.
Malami made the disclosure on Thursday in Abuja, while inaugurating the inter-miniterial management committee on the eradication of sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria. He said, “The excruciating impact of SGBV is not limited to only victims and their families but also involves devastating social and economic costs to our nation. The need for concrete and urgent actions to combat this problem can, therefore, not be overstated.”The AGF further stated that the Federal Ministry of Justice in furtherance of its primary responsibility of defending constitutional rights of citizens, had undertaken the task of coordinating whole of government action in response to tackling SGBV cases in the country. According to Malami, the Justice Ministry had engaged relevant government ministries, agencies and departments to ensure an adequate and sustainable response to the crisis. While inaugurating the committee, Malami disclosed that its terms of reference would include:”To conduct a review of all the existing laws and policy instrument touching on offences of rape, child defilement and gender-based violence for adequacy, and a situation analysis to understand and propose necessary legislative changes to bridge the gaps between policy and implementation of the requisite counter-measures,” among others. Earlier in their goodwill messages, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and development partners like the United Nations and the European Union, who constute members of the committee, pledged their supports to the initiative to combat SGBV in the country.According to the UN representative, Ms Ulla Mueller, commended the Federal Government for matching its words with actions by inaugurating the inter-miniterial management committee on SGBV. “We are delighted to commend the government of Nigeria for taking these initiatives. It shows the commitment and dedication to put action behind the words of wanting to eradicate Gender-based violence. “I want to reiterate the commitment of the UN system to the work and efforts of the government of Nigeria and this committee. We stand side by side with you by working with you to ending Gender-based violence in Nigeria.”