The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has decried the high rise in complaints on violence inflicted on women, saying there is need for ‘special courts’ for women-related violence to ensure diligent prosecution of such cases.
At a news conference to mark the 2016 International Women’s day in Abuja on Tuesday, the Executive Secretary, ES of the commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, called for effective implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition, VAPP, Act, the Sexual Offences Act and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Angwe said, “Beyond prosecution, the new legislations should place equal priority on protection of victims as well as compensation and other forms of redress.
“The special courts are necessary because cases of violence against women are usually crowded out by civil and political cases in the conventional courts.
“With the special courts, adequate attention will be given to the cases and the perpetrators brought to justice without delay,’’ Angwe said, adding that the commission was determined to ensure that women were no longer regarded as objects of inheritance in the society but as the pride of the society.
“Women were encouraged to report cases of abuse and gender-related complaints (sexual violence, domestic violence, forced marriage, women trafficking and early marriage, among others), to the relevant authorities as this was the only way the perpetrators would be fished out and punished adequately.”
The ES decried the high rise in complaints on violence inflicted on women, saying diligent prosecution was necessary to end the trend.
On the current trend of abduction of the girl-child in Nigeria, the executive secretary called on the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to expedite action towards ensuring the release of other abductees.
While reiterating the need for social security protection for women and children, he urged all stakeholders to join the commission in its strive to end impunity against women.
He further said that as the world gathered momentum towards a gender-equal planet by 2030, there was need to recognize and promote the economic, cultural and sociopolitical potential of women.
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