Nigerian governors declare ‘state of emergency’ on sexual violence

The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) has declared a state of emergency on the increasing rate of sexual and gender-based violence in the country, and also pledged to commit additional funding for the prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence through appropriate Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Penpushing reports that, this position was made known by Chairman of the forum, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State in a communiqué made available on Thursday, which also listed other resolutions

“Governors strongly condemned all forms of violence against women and children and committed to ensuring that offenders face the maximum weight of the law; declared a state of emergency on sexual and gender-based violence’, the communiqué reads

“Called on State Governors that have not already domesticated relevant gender-based protection laws to domesticate the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, the Child Rights Act and the updated Penal Code to increase protection for women and children and ensure speedy investigation and prosecution of perpetrators in addition to creating sex offenders register in each state to name and shame.”

“We will invite the commissioners of police to provide a detailed report on the actions taken to strengthen their response to sexual and gender-based violence through the Family Support Units and Force Gender Units at the State and Local Government levels.

“Governors will commit additional funding for the prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence through appropriate Ministries, Departments and Agencies;

“Endorse the communique of the meeting of the First Ladies in Nigeria which held on 7th June 2020 to evaluate and mobilise action to check the alarming rate of sexual violence against women and girls and indeed all forms of violence against women,” the forum’s statement added

The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) in a statement added that governors would ensure state commissioners of police provide reports on their response to sexual and gender-based violence at the state and local government levels