Dec. 6, 2021
…Says more collaboration needed to curb menace
In recognition of the fact that violence against women (VAW) is one of the major contemporary issues of the 21st century and the need to better advocate for the protection of the rights and welfare of women, the Justice, Development and Peace Centre (JDPC), Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, has called for better enforcement of laws enacted for protection of women from violence in Nigeria.
In a communique issued at the end of the programme organised by the Centre, to sensitize and ignite conversations around VAW and to seek ways to curb the menace, the JDPC and participants at the event also agreed that there is need to formulate gender based policies and establish a framework to monitor the enforcement of relevant laws and policies.
It also noted that it is imperative to foster international cooperation and dialogue for the ratification of emerging instruments for the holistic protection of women and the inclusion of gender education into the national curricula across all levels of education to help curtail the root causes VAW.
The role of the private sector cannot be overemphasised if VAW must be curtailed to the barest minimum, as such the call to consider private sector partnerships in gender equality was emphasised even as government was urged to provide adequate budgetary allocations to relevant MDAs responsible for sensitizing and supporting the populace on gender rights and issues.
However, in view of the foregoing and the drive towards achieving the targets of the Goal 5 of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, JDPC and participants urged relevant stakeholders including the Government, Institutions, Families etc. to prioritize the protection of the women and girls from all manifestations of violence, and provide an enabling environment for all women and girls to thrive in the Nigerian society.
Speaking earlier in his keynote address, the Director JDPC Lagos, Rev. Father Raymond Anoliefo emphasized the importance of the 16 Orange Days for activism to eliminate the scourge of violence against women.
He noted that the 16 days, which starts on the 25th of November annually, through to 10th December is expected to ignite conversations on violence against women and is crucial for confronting the menace of violence against women.
The Rev. Father described violence against women as a global issue that prevents the full and equal participation of women and girls and added that the magnitude of the impact on this vulnerable group is immeasurable.
Citing the pandemic as a factor that has led to the spike in cases of gender based abuse, he said “no form of violence against women can be justified. He stated that a sexually pervasive culture like that of Nigeria allows for flagrant disregard of the rights of women and girls, and is exacerbated by patriarchy”.
He however encouraged participants to speak out against gender based abuse, address the root causes, stop victim blaming and female objectification, ensure zero tolerance for any form of violence against women, broaden understanding of rape culture, empower women and girls, and end impunity.
