From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
United Nations Women (UN Women), as part of effort to tackle Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), has advocated more engagement with reputable figures in the communities to increase advocacy and sensitisation campaigns on dangers of SGBVs.
The UN Women suggested that the occasion of the 16 Days of Activism on Sexual Violence against Women should be used to deeply engage in programmes and activities that would improve the fortunes of women and girls, thus giving them stronger voice and confidence to demand for their rights.
UN Women Representative to Nigeria & ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, told journalists at the orange lightening of the UN Building, in Abuja, on Wednesday, as part of 16 Days of Activism on Sexual Violence against Women, that there was an alarming rise of SGBV incidences, particularly targeted at women with disabilities.
She said the theme for this year’s event, “Unite! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls” was designed to promote the need for collaborative effort to tackle the challenge of SGBVs particularly the ones targeted at women with disabilities.
She said: “This is a clarion call for all. We need to work together in unity to deal with SGBV menace in order to achieve meaningful and sustainable impact. We all need to invest resources, energy and time to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls.
“In Nigeria, 30 per cent of women and girls between ages 15 and 49 reported having experienced sexual abuse. The Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey indicated that 14 per cent of women in Nigeria have experienced physical violence. These unfortunate realities call for collective and systematic efforts in dealing with the menace.”
She made reference to the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 which was designed to assist in the fight against SGBVs and other related crime against humanity. “The main thrust of the law is to eliminate violence in private and public life, prohibit all forms of violence against persons to provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders and for other related matters.
“It’s gladdening to note that the VAPP Act has been domesticated in almost all states of the federation. We must sustain the momentum by investing resources, establishing and strengthening mechanism for polarisation and effective implementation of the VAPP Act,” she suggested.
Dr. Eyong, said the objective of the orange lightening of the UN building was to strengthen partnership to end SGBVs among UN Agencies, Government MDAs, Diplomatic Community, Development Partners, Security Agencies, Civil Society Organisations and the Media, among other stakeholders, while also increasing visibility and public support for the 16 Days of Activism.
She added: “The light initiative is integral to the UN Women and the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE Campaign. It symbolise a brighter future without violence. The “orange” comes from the fire ignited by the many women’s groups dedicated to combating violence against women around the world. We are proud to join the initiative with orange lighting of UN Building in Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Ireti Kingibe, advocated intensified grassroots campaign against SGBVs.
She said: “In the FCT, I have got something called Orange allowed, which is down to the grassroots, to the wards, because I cannot know when a woman is being violated in Nyanya when I live in Maitama.
“So, in the next few days, towards the end of the 16 days exercise, we would be calling for Orange Marshals. Everybody will go online and sign and you will then be the monitoring body in your respective communities.
“We can only make that impact when we are united. In the Senate, I have also worked out a programme where each Committee will show me how women are represented in their sector. I am just waiting to get the dashboard.”
Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, in her remarks, said: “We are committed to actions that would provide leadership and support for our collective efforts in eliminating violence against women and girls with the particular focus on gender based violence and harmful traditional practices.”