As the world marks International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women today, the House of Representatives on Monday staged a march to raise awareness on the need to end all forms of violence against women.
The symbolic march which which is a part of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, started from the National Assembly Complex to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, attracted federal lawmakers led by the Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, women from all walks of life as well as youth groups.
At the event, Abbas noted that at least one woman dies of violence every 10 minutes across the world.
The theme for the 2024 ’16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence’ is “Towards Beijing +30: Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls.”
“This year’s programme comes at a time when women all over the world are crying. Women are in anger. Women are in frustration. Because of this, the United Nations has issued a damning report that, every 10 minute, a woman is killed globally,” he said.
“This is an unacceptable trend, an unforgivable trend. We in parliament must unite more than ever before with relevant authorities, particularly law enforcement, to ensure that we curb this dangerous trend to the barest minimum,” he added.
“I want to say categorically that the National Assembly will do everything humanly possible to ensure that all forms of violence against women and girls are drastically reduced, if not completely eliminated, in the very near future.”
He promised that the National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives, would play an active role in the next National Action Plan Against Violence Towards Women, which will be announced soon.
“We will send our representatives and participate actively in ensuring that robust policies are enacted to significantly reduce the incidence of violence of all kinds against women, children, and girls,” he added.
The Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara, said one in three women are victims of gender-based violence globally.
She called on law enforcement agents to work hard to bring perpetrators of violence against women to justice.
“We want justice. We say no to lecturers violating students, threatening to fail them if they do not comply. We say no to bosses at work violating their secretaries or staff, threatening dismissal if they do not yield.
“We say no to all forms of violence against our children, our girls. Fathers raping daughters, uncles raping children, and boys raping girls must stop,” Ogbara said.
“We are here this morning to present a petition for immediate intervention, investigation, and prosecution on gender-based violence to the Inspector General of Police,” she added.
“We are calling for urgent action on gender-based violence during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.”
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who was on hand to receive the petition, promised to study and implement the resolution.
While thanking the organisers, he assured of the readiness of the Force to stamp out all forms of violence against women.
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