The Nigerian Feminist Forum has expressed its concern over the alarming rate of violence against our women and children.
Angela Nkwo, NFF Communications officer in a statement said;
“We are compelled to call for the protection of women and girls throughout the country especially against all forms of gender-based violence.
“We are concerned at the seeming absence of adequate internal security from the security agencies to protect the people, and call on the government at all levels to rise up to their constitutional duty to ensure the protection of lives and properties in Nigeria.”
“In Lagos, respected thespian, Olarenwaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha was caught trying to defile a 14 year old minor, right in the comfort of her home even when he was a trusted family friend. Video evidence circulating on social media.
“There are countless persons violating the rights of girls and women walking free, not facing justice and causing more harm such as Uduak who had a history of sexual assault and rape.”
NFF however, urged everyone irrespective of his class in the society to respect and honour every girl-child and woman, whilst reminding the authorities on the declared #StateofEmergencyonSGBV.
It also appealed to the Nigerian Governor’s Forum not to forget its promises and callout on addressing Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) within its ranks by peer-to-peer reviewing of those that have domesticated the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP) and have demonstrated a robust prosecution of perpetrators of violence.
NFF called “on survivors to find the courage to speak out, report to the nearest sexual assault referral centre (SARC) near you for adequate treatment and psychosocial support, and other civil society organization for immediate action.”
