Communique issued at the end a Webinar organized by Women Entrepreneurs and Professional Development Network (WEPDN) supported by United Nations and Penpushing media on Sunday June 28, 2020.

The webinar with over 100 participants reviewed the rising cases of sexual and gender based violence in the country with some attributing it to the coronavirus pandemic while some held the opinion that sexual violence had been alarming but underreported.

The participants further noted the existence of laws meant to deal with SGBV with their near non enforcement acknowledging the recent declaration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the State Governors as an impetus needed to drive enforcement.

The webinar identified the collapse of family values, patriarchy, the low societal value for girls and women, poverty, the non existent of informal structures like Girls Guide , Boys Scout, Red Cross etc to positively engage youths as some of the factors driving sexual and gender based  violence.

At the end of the about 3 hours brainstorming session, convened by Iyalode  Alaba Lawson had Mr. Lansana Wonneh ,Deputy Country Representative of the UNwomen Ms. Mercedes Alfa, communications analyst , United Nations Women Nigeria,  Dr. Abiola Akiyode Afolabi as moderator featured eminent panelists comprising Prof Yemisi Obilade, Mrs Affi Ibanga, Mrs Peju Osoba, Mrs  Olufunke Fadugba, Mrs Stella Jibrin and Hajia Aisha Ibrahim to do justice to the Zoom webinar on “Say No To Rape”.

The webinar came up with the following recommendations:

*While we make calls for more stringent laws, we must advocate for the full implementation of the existing ones principally the VAPP and the CRA/L.

* Within the provisions of the law, protective systems should be strengthened to adequately support victims/ survivors of GBV generally and sexual violence particularly.

* Aggressive advocacy to traditional and cultural leaders should be pursued and such matters should be included in the responsibilities of CDCs and CDAs.

*Specialized police units should be equipped and trained personnel be empowered and retained in their positions to fight GBV.

*The webinar with almost further called for the establishment of a NATIONAL SOCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION (NSCC) with powers and functions to investigate, prosecute, educate, orientate on crimes relating  to Rape, Domestic violence, gender abuses.The participants while commending the organisers urged them to seek further collaboration to sponsor a bill to this effect.

*The panelists identified a multi sectoral approach with a coordinating body to collate data of areas of needs, streamline interventions to avoid duplication and whittle down red tappism that tend to slow down the process of tackling sexual and gender based violence.

* They said the media should be more accountable in terms of censorship in selection of programs taking into cognisance the individual differences of patrons

*The webinar highlighted that the issue of patriarchy and sense of entitlement as causes of rape should be addressed through the family and the socialialisation process

* They want all informal structures including cultural gate keepers to be deployed to shape orientation of youths in self respect and non violence way of life

*They canvassed holistic support for victims of sexual violence that will not unnecessarily excuse the suspected rapists