MINISTRY OF WOMEN AFFAIRS TO SET UP MOBILE COURTS TO CURTAIL GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
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The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs announced that it will work with the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and other pertinent government agencies to set up mobile courts, which will allow for the swift trial of those involved in the act and the subsequent punishment of offenders, as part of measures aimed at eliminating societal norms contributing to gender-based violence (GBV) in the nation.
During a briefing for journalists in Abuja on Friday, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs.) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, disclosed the information in honour of the 16 days of activism commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
When the courts are fully functional, she said, they will make sure that those responsible for such horrible deeds are apprehended, charged, and punished appropriately to serve as a deterrent to others.
Barrister Kennedy Ohanenye disclosed that the Ministry, under her direction, will also step up public education campaigns to educate women, particularly in rural and isolated areas of the nation, about the zero-tolerance policy for gender-based violence. Following this, whistleblowers will be hired to report any incidents of child molestation or gender-based violence in the area.
The Minister encouraged parents to continue watching their children and wards to notice when their moods and expressions change so that they can bring this to the attention of the appropriate agencies for immediate action as it is no longer going to be business as usual. The minister also reaffirmed the government’s determination to develop more strategies to ensure that gender-based violence is eliminated in Nigeria.
As a result, she urged pertinent government organisations and development partners to work with the Ministry to combat and eradicate all forms of gender-based violence in the nation.
Earlier, Mr. Matthias Schmale, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, urged the Federal Government to strengthen gender-responsive budgeting and create plans to eradicate social practices that encourage violence of this kind.
He noted that encouraging women to be independent and enterprising will also significantly reduce the prevalence of attacks on women and children in the nation by perpetrators of gender-based violence.
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