UN Women Nigeria has advocated for the application of global norms for gender equality and women’s empowerment, so as to address the gender inequalities women and girls face due to negative cultural and social norms that keep women in poverty.
This was disclosed at the deliberation on the violence against persons ACT, 2015 “from domestication to implementation” to mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, and the mobilization of male community members to support gender equality, in Nigeria.
To this effect, the Country Representative of UN Women Nigeria Comfort Lamptey, explained that there is need for more efforts to address gender related violence especially in North East part of Nigeria and other part of the country which has being facing insecurity challenges.
“As pertains to humanitarian action, UN Women supported efforts to respond to the humanitarian crisis in the North East through targeted programming around livelihood support and early recovery for women and girls; a broader transition from humanitarian relief to longer-term recovery and development; GBV prevention and protection for conflict-affected women and girls; and the improvement of conflict-affected women’s access to justice. UN Women worked to enhance women’s capacities to influence conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peace building, as well as implemented interventions for increasing women’s effective participation in peace and security processes; moving towards gender-sensitive security sector institutions for gender-responsive operations; and improving public perceptions regarding the role of women in peace and security.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Edward Kallon, called for synergy on the implementation of the violence against GBV Act.
“Women and girls continue to be exposed to various forms of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and barriers in access to justice. We must use this opportunity to review the success of the implementation of the VAPP through strategic partnership, sensitization and promotion of women leadership in decision making. We must also continue to build on the foundation of the transformation and realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria and the 2030 target. Now more than ever we must ensure to always say no to violence against women and girls. Lets stand together to ensure dignity and justice for women. He said.
According to the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona laing, implementation of VAPP is the priority of the UK, adding that the UK is working with women at UN security council to achieve zero tolerance to GBV.
The First lady Kebbi State Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, noted that all the 36 state of Nigeria and the FCT, have been very active in addressing issue of sexual and gender based violence.
In terms of awareness, in terms of creating more facilities, in terms of capacity building, passing the appropriate laws, we have seen an unprecedented increase in the activities that will help reduce the scourge of sexual and gender base violence. So kebbi, Edo, is not behind. Is just that we will contextualize all the various part of Nigeria, what is right in Lagos may not necessary be the same in Kebbi.
So, each has to be measured appropriately, accordingly taking in to consideration the social norms, religion and other issues. Having said this sexual violence, gender based violence is violence and should not in any way be conjured by any religion, culture and tradition.
In response to the menace of VAWG in Nigeria, the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act was passed into law in 2015.
From 2019 till date, more states have domesticated the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act (5 in 2019 to 26 in November 2021). As part of a critical mass of gatekeepers, the Nigerian Governors’ Wives Forum has proven to be a strategic partner in pushing for reforms on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG).
