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- Group holds 2 weeks activism in Borno
From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
Experts on women and girls’ right have canvassed for stricter enforcement of law to bring perpetrators of Gender Based Violence (GBV) to book and give justice to victims.
Speaking at an event organised by an international pro-children advocate, Save the Children International, in Maiduguri, Borno State to mark weeks-long activism against GBV, the experts said sexual violence against women and girls continues because perpetrators are usually not punished.
“GBV is almost a common thing. We have challenge of people getting access to justice and this has also made perpetrators to continue. There is impunity on the part of perpetrators because they are not been accountable,” said the Save the Children International Gender Specialist, Virginia Amara Edeh.
She said lack of awareness among the local people about women and girls protection against GBV has also provided ground for the vice to thrive.
“Many perpetrators and victims don’t even know there is GBV. For them, it is like a normal. So it is important that everybody is aware so that people can speak for themselves,” Edeh said.
GBV Officer with Save the Children, Usah Sani, said the event was organized to commemorate 16 days of activism staring from November 25 to December 10 to create awareness and take a stand on Amy form of Gender Based Violence.
She said organisers chose the theme; The role of security agencies in supporting GBV survivors, to draw attention to the challenge in the state.
Borno State Coordinator for the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Jumoi Mshelia appealed to the state government to provide DNA machine that could help in handling forensic analysis to unveil the identities of perpetrators of GBV. She said the commission has received several complaints of sexual assaults resorting in pregnancies but could not unveil the perpetrators due to absence of DNA test in the state.
The event was attended by government officials, security personnel, right activists, community leaders, women groups and students.
