First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged for stricter laws and harsher punishments for perpetrators of rape, sexual abuse, and other forms of gender-based violence.
This call was made at the 1st Gender and Social Norms Summit organized by the United Nations Population Fund in collaboration with her office.
Speaking at the event, Senator Tinubu emphasized the need for improved legislation to ensure appropriate punishment for offenders. “We must speak not only firm and tough, but act accordingly,” she stated, expressing alarm at the increasing rate of rape cases and GBV in the country.
The First Lady stressed the importance of state-specific action plans and adequate resource allocation in government budgets to support gender equality initiatives and GBV prevention programs.
She called on law enforcement agencies, the Inspector General of Police, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Senate President to enforce stiffer laws against perpetrators.
“That is why I am calling on the law enforcement agencies, the Inspector General of Police, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Chairman of the National Assembly, who is the Senate President, to appropriate and enforce stiffer laws and punishment to perpetrators of rape, sexual abuse and other forms of gender based violence.
“No guilty party should be allowed to go free and start roaming the streets looking for the next victim,” she stated.
Ministers present at the summit, including those for Education, Justice, Women Affairs, and Youth, supported the call for increased awareness and stringent punishment for offenders. They suggested that improved education for girls, youth development, and women empowerment could significantly reduce these harmful practices.
UNFPA Gender/FGM Analyst Karima Bungudu presented alarming statistics, noting that nearly one in three Nigerian women have experienced some form of gender-based violence.
She highlighted the high prevalence of harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation and child marriage.
The summit, attended by wives of state governors, state commissioners, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders, concluded with the signing of a Compact of Commitment. T
his document reaffirms the determination of the First Lady and governors’ wives to end GBV and other harmful practices in their respective states.
