With the unprecedented increase in the cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria, Global Women for Quality and Sustainable Development (GWSD) participated in an advocacy and sensitization rally organized by the National Human Rights Commission in Benin City, Edo State.
During the event, representatives of the National Human Right Commission, Federation of International Female Lawyers (FIDA), and GWSD mustered at Edo State Ministry of Justice, Police Headquarters, and the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police to advocate for more stringent laws to protect women against rape.
Speaking, Sani Momodu, the State coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission referred to rape and other forms of Gender-Based Violence as crimes that should not be condoned while also declaring that perpetrators should not be shielded but brought to book without settlement behind the scene.
Speaking further, the coordinator gave the mandate of the NHRC as, to promote and protect human rights of citizens and non-citizens while also using the opportunity to call out partners, stakeholders, and other individuals in the administration of criminal justice system to join in the actualization of the mandate.
He recommended that the police must be well equipped to perform its functions especially in the areas of surveillance, communication as well as the establishment of police/ public forum at regular intervals. Similarly, the judiciary should establish Fast Track Courts for quick dispensation of rape and other sexual and Gender-Based Violence cases.
At the Office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Polycap Dibia while receiving the protesters, assured that following the completion of the ongoing investigations into the case of Uwa, who was raped and murdered in Benin City, all the suspects involved will be charged to court.
Finally, protesters called on Leaders of Faith Organization, Media, and well-meaning individuals to join in stamping out the menace called Sexual and Gender-Based Violence that has become more endemic than the covid19 pandemic.
