Nigeria’s Ministry of Women Affairs has called for a compulsory psychiatric test as part of marriage requirements in the country.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen made the call in Abuja, the nation’s capital during a media briefing on the increased cases of Gender-based violence (GBV).
According to her, the alarming increase in Gender-Based Violence as witnessed in the last few weeks truly calls for concern and urgent action.
“From the North and South, East and West several cases are reported daily and there is the need for us to remind the masses that due process is in place to address each and every one of these cases.
“We can no longer be silent and watch our society degenerate to a level where GBV is practised with impunity
“Our society must move with the realities of the times as we can no longer tolerate wickedness, greed, envy and malicious acts under the guise of Culture.”
She, therefore, appealed to all leaders in the society to be more sensitive with the way they execute their activities and utilize the powers bestowed on them.
Tallen further called on Governors and Commissioners of Women Affairs in all the affected States where gender-based violence are perpetrated to give the much-needed attention to such cases.
While calling on Traditional and Religious Institutions to help in this mission, she added that women groups in the society have a big role to play in ending gender-based violence.
she added that the Ministry of Women Affairs remains“Focused and resolute to ensure that perpetrators face the full weight of the laws that govern our dear country.“
It would be recalled that on April 8, 2022, a Nigerian gospel musician, Osinachi Nwachukwu who became popular for her hit song, ‘‘Ekweme,” was reported dead.
The Women Affairs Minister later paid a condolence visit to the family and discovered that; “When I came into the compound, I saw the children, four beautiful children; three boys, one girl. He (Peter) had told the children that they should not speak about the things that have been happening in the house.
“I first spoke with the first son, I told him the President is concerned, every Nigerian is concerned, we all join them to mourn Osinachi’s death but what we want from him is the truth.
“Then he opened up… And said that their dad used to beat their mom and their mom was always sad. He would beat her and flog her. He said their father would gather them in the room and be beating them and if the mom comes into the room to stop him, he would turn back on her and beat her up. And that has always been the issue.
“They said it was their mom that runs around on her gospel music, comes back with her money, in fact, if the money is paid through (a) bank account, it was paid into his account. She has no account of her own, any money she has, he collects and gives her just peanut for feeding. And their mom was living in fear and was always sad.”
The Minister said that perpetrators need to be told that Nigeria is a society with zero tolerance against GBV.
She also called on mothers to mould their male children to become better adults who can take on marital responsibilities without feeling insecure.
PIAK
