Govs Wives Decry Non Domestication Of Laws To Safeguard Women, Children From Violence

By Matthew Ogune, Abuja

First Ladies of the 36 States of Nigeria have lamented the poor domestication of relevant legislation by state governments to safeguard women and children from violence.

The group in a communique issued at the end of a teleconference meeting signed by Erelu Bisi Fayemi on behalf of First Ladies Against Gender Based Violence (FLA-GBV) regretted that very few states have a Sex Offenders Register.

They said: “It was further noted that several States in the country have not domesticated relevant legislation to safeguard women and children from violence and very few States have a Sex Offenders Register. It was agreed that advocacy efforts will be intensified to ensure that legislation and implementation of such laws can be used to combat Gender Based Violence.

“We the First Ladies of the 36 States of Nigeria further agreed to inform the Nigerian Governors Forum of all that has been discussed in order to get governors involved in the much needed areas of enacting laws to punish offenders.

“We noted the calls by various concerned organisations to declare a State of Emergency on Sexual and Gender Based Violence and we would like to add our voices to such demands”

“It was observed that very few cases of sexual violence in Nigeria end up in convictions. The First ladies therefore resolved to become more involved in seeing that justice is done for survivors of sexual violence.

“We the First ladies of the 36 States of the Federation have resolved to work assiduously with a range of stakeholders to break the culture of silence which has so far meant that perpetrators are not brought to justice because the parents and or family members of the victims and the victims themselves are prevailed upon not to report these cases. The First Ladies were unequivocal that this must stop.

“We will endeavor to provide shelter and safe houses in our various States for women in distress, as well as ongoing sensitization and support in safe spaces.

“It was further resolved that boys will be tutored as well on what constitutes sexual violence, and men will be encouraged to lend their voices to the various anti-GBV campaigns going on.”