There has been growing concern over the rising incidents of rape in Nigeria. In response, Nigerian Governors have united to declare a state of emergency in efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence against women and children.
This decision was made during the 10th COVID-19 teleconference meeting on Wednesday, June 10. The chairman of the forum and Governor of Ekiti state, Kayode Fayemi, released a communique, stating that the governors are also committed to ensuring that perpetrators of sexual violence are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
A section of the communique reads:
”We will declare a State of Emergency on Sexual and Gender-based Violence. Governors strongly condemn all forms of violence against women and children and are dedicated to guaranteeing that offenders face the maximum penalties of the law;
We urge State Governors who have not yet adopted relevant gender-based protection laws to do so, such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, the Child Rights Act, and the updated Penal Code, to enhance the protection of women and children. This includes expediting the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators, as well as establishing a sex offenders register in each State to publicly identify and shame them.”