The Nigerian Senate has called for an end to violence against women in the country.
Their resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and 16 other Senators.
The motion was to commemorate the 16 days of activism against GBV celebrated by the United Nations every year.
The Upper Chamber also tasked the police to prosecute those found culpable of Gender-Based Violence, (GBV).
While moving her motion on the floor at plenary Senator Kingibe said GBV is a pervasive problem worldwide.
“Women are vulnerable and are at risk. More is needed to ensure that women live and are free of violence. The fatalities from GBV are more than 1,000,” the FCT Senator said.
Senator Kingibe who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs raised concerns about inadequate awareness on the issue, which made her committee to work towards ensuring those found wanting face the wrath of law.
“While moving the motion, I told the Senators to observe a minute of silence to all the people who died in gender-based violence. I also want to urge Nigerian Universities across the country to try an prioritise accommodation for female students, to talk to NAPTIP about looking at their policies, to also mandate Women Affairs Committee to creat a roadmap to stop gender-based violence.”
Enough awareness has not been created among men, that’s what i am going to correct. I have gotten a lot of support from men, who are willing to be in the Women Affairs Committee. We are ranked 182 out of 186 countries in the world when it comes to gender participation in governance and in government, how do we say we are giant? We have to be ahead in all capital development indices.
“I have gotten a lot of cooperation from men, including the Northern Senators, those who didn’t support it have now understood that this is not just about women but their daughters,”Senator Kingibe said.
On her part, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senator representing Kogi central, said women have also suffered in the hands of women.
“Nigerian women and the world have suffered in the hands of not just men but women and in various organisations. I support the call for a stop to the violence,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Senator representing Edo north, said there should be stiff penalties for GBV offenders.
“I think we need to review the laws that have to do with violence against women. We need to make the penalties stiffer. We should pass laws with appropriate tools to enable the police to prosecute. Sermonizing alone won’t change the minds of those who think they have the right to oppress,” Oshiomhole said.
The motion was adopted after it was put to a vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Lateefah Ibrahim
