Women Affairs Minister Raises Alarm Over Increased GBV Cases, Vows to Punish Offenders
The Federal Government has expressed concern over the increasing cases of Gender-based Violence (GBV) in the country, despite concerted efforts by government and other stakeholders to stamp out the menace.
The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye disclosed this in Abuja during the Nigeria Television Authority’s (NTA) Weekend Deal Programme with the focus: “Gender Violence in Nigeria.”
She stated that available records on the Ministry’s Data Situation Room shows that from its inception in November 2020 till date, there has been 30,120 reported cases of GBV with only 486 convictions
Represented by the Director, Gender Affairs in the Ministry, Mrs Friya Bulus, the Minister stated further that of this number, 1,329 victims lost their lives while
1,945 cases were closed
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This development is unacceptable, government will not relent on its efforts to prevent deaths due to GBV, it will therefore deploy all necessary measures within the ambits of law to ensure that the pepetrators of this heinous crime are brought to book, without any further delay, she said.
To achieve this, the Minister informed that the Ministry is collaborating with the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and other relevant government agencies, with a view to setting up mobile courts in the 36 States of the Federation, including the FCT, that will enable for speedy trial of persons involved in the act and subsequent punishment of offenders.
While restating her Ministry’s resolve to bring GBV to its barest minimum in the country, Barrister Kennedy-Ohanenye called on Nigerians to report all forms of GBV within their communities to the relevant agencies for immediate necessary action.
She therefore called on relevant agencies, Development Partners as well as stakeholders to join hands with the government in its avowed determination to rid the country of the dreaded vice.
Signed
Mrs Grace Njoku
Head, Press and Public Relations
December 10, 2023
