Tackling rape: Women group calls for establishment of national social crimes commission
A Women Group known as Women Entrepreneurs and Professional Development Network (WEPDN) has called for the establishment of a National Social Crimes Commission (NSCC) with powers to prosecute rapists and domestic offenders
Penpushing reports that the network made the call during a webinar organized in conjuction with United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN Women), and Penpushing Media, with over 100 participants across the globe to review the rising cases of sexual and gender based violence.
The 3 hours brainstorming session, convened by Iyalode Alaba Lawson had in attendance Mr. Lansana Wonneh ,Deputy Country Representative of the United Nations(UNwomen), Ms. Mercedes Alfa, communications analyst , United Nations Women Nigeria, Dr. Abiola Akiyode- Afolabi as moderator and also 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 communiqué issued at the end of the webinar jointly signed by Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji and Joanne Miller Egboh pointed out that the establishment of the commission will have functions to investigate, prosecute, educate, orientate on crimes relating to rape, domestic violence and gender issues.
Penpushing further reports that, the participants further noted the existence of laws meant to deal with Sexual and Gender Based Violence (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 to positively engage youths as some of the factors driving sexual and gender based violence.
Penpushing also reports that, the webinar in its recommendations make calls for more stringent laws, emphasizing need to advocate for the full implementation of the existing ones principally the Violence Against Persons Prohibition(VAPP) and the Child Right Act/Law.
The communiqué added that, within the provisions of the law, protective systems should be strengthened to adequately support victims/ survivors of GBV generally and sexual violence particularly.
Penpushing further reports that, the webinar said, aggressive advocacy to traditional and cultural leaders should be pursued and such matters should be included in the responsibilities of Community Development Council (CDCs) and Community Development Association (CDAs)
The panelists recommended that, specialized police units should be equipped and trained personnel be empowered and retained in their positions to fight Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).
The participants while commending the organisers urged them to seek further collaboration to sponsor a bill to this effect, while 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.
The recommendation added that the media should be more accountable in terms of censorship in selection of programs taking into cognisance the individual differences of patrons, while 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
Penpushing reports that the session recommended that all informal structures including cultural gate keepers to be deployed to shape orientation of youths in self respect and non violence way of life, and canvassed holistic support for victims of sexual violence that will not unnecessarily excuse the suspected rapists
