Nigerian Governors Set to Declare State of Emergency on Sexual And Gender-based Violence Against Women And Children

Worried by the outrageous numbers of rape cases recorded in recent times, Nigerian Governors have agreed to declare a state of emergency on sexual and gender-based violence against women and children.

The governors took the decision at the 10th COVID-19 teleconference meeting held on Wednesday, June 10. A communique released by the chairman of the forum and Governor of Ekiti state, Kayode Fayemi, the governors resolved to also ensure that sexual offenders are made to face the full wrath of the law.

The communique in part reads

”Declare a State of Emergency on Sexual and Gender-based Violence. Governors strongly condemned all forms of violence against women and children and committed to ensuring that offenders face the maximum weight of the law;

Call on State Governors that have not already domesticated relevant gender-based protection laws to domesticate the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, the Child Rights Act and the updated Penal Code to increase protection for women and children and ensure speedy investigation and prosecution of perpetrators in addition to creating a sex offenders register in each State to name and shame.”