NGO calls for stiffer legislation to protect women from rape

The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, Nigeria (WANEP-Nigeria), a nongovernmental organisation (NGO), has called for stiffer legislation to protect women and girls from rape.

In a statement on Wednesday, Bridget Osakwe, national coordinator of WANEP-Nigeria, said the organisation is concerned with the increasing sexual assault and rape of women and girls in the country.

According to Osakwe, the recent cases of rape and sexual harassment of women and girls are expressions of the deeper, systemic disregard for women.

She said the increase in gender-based violence became noticeable with the outbreak of COVID-19 and the stay-at-home directive issued by the federal government as part of the measures to curb the spread of the disease.

“To ameliorate the situation, WANEP- Nigeria created an online survey to document incidences of Sexual and Gender Based Violence for referral and intervention. Emerging data gathered revealed a high number of child abuse, rape, sexual harassment and human rights violations,” Osakwe said.

“Gender Based Violence is a global pandemic that affects 1 in 3 women in their lifetime. The issue is not only devastating for survivors and their families but also entails significant and social economic costs. The increasing prevalence of violence against women and girls in the Nigerian society is a deliberate attack, ingrained discrimination and injustice which highlights a form of structural violence.

“This form of violence rooted in centuries of male domination, misogyny and inequality has led to early deaths, social stigmatization and limited life choices for many women and girls. The perpetrators of these violent human rights violations against women and girls must not go unpunished as they can be found in every sector of the society including amongst security agencies.

“While we call for a Federal Government Legislation mandating a zero-tolerance approach in penalizing and prosecuting perpetuators of gender based violence we enjoin all Nigerians to take responsibility and work actively to build a society based on justice, non-violent transformation of conflict, respect for women human rights and human dignity for all.”

WANEP-Nigeria noted that there should be local ownership of the sexual offenders register (SOR) to allow perpetuators to be named, shamed, prosecuted and convicted for sexual violence.

Osakwe added that this will checkmate the menace of rape and uphold the rights of women and girls in the society.