By Olukayode Idowu
The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim has told Nigerians to count on her as she take the lead in championing and reviewing policies that will strengthen the fight against sexual and gender based violence in Nigeria.
She gave this promise at the sidelines of a music show to roundup the French embassy activities to celebrate the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence.
Speaking to journalists at the event which featured a performance by Nigerian artist Morell, who created a special Hausa song for the occasion, and a documentary screening by Anti-Sexual Violence Lead Support Initiative ASVIOL, the minister emphasized the need to triple efforts in providing reliefs for victims.
She noted that the scourge of SGBV is everybody’s problem, and that anybody can be raped, and not just the less privileged alone.
She however expressed that victims should be supported, promising that she would lead from the front, assuring that a stakeholders meeting will be convened next year where all partners who are passionate about protecting the rights of women and children would meet to deliberate on the way forward.
She said: “There is no reason why anyone should face any kind of violence. We must as stakeholders chart a course to end SGBV. Decisive actions must be taken now, and we must not cultivate rapists.
“We must review also the legal instruments, and strengthen it, so that offenders would know that they will end up being prosecuted and will end up in jail.
“Sexual and Gender based violence is everybody’s problem because anybody can be raped, so it is not limited to the less privileged alone. Count on me to take up police review, take charge and carry out necessary interventions.
“I had encounter with some survivors few days ago in Lagos, and I listened to their stories which are heart rendering. All I can say is that we need to support victims. It’s a Clarion call. They have suffered. Let’s provide immediate support. Let’s triple up our efforts.
“I am here to lead, to support development partners, non-governmental organisations, Nigerian women and the media. We will keep on convening this kid of webinars and the time is now.
“Another challenge we have is that we do not have enough shelters or safe homes, but despite that, we should be intentional. Yes we have scarce resources but we need to tap into the resources of our developmental partners, and we must align to a national action plan which must be accelerated.” The Minister however called on all stakeholders to bring up their suggestions so they can work together in ending the monster called gender based violence against women and children.