SGBV: New standard procedure underway – FG
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Plan is underway to set a new standard procedure aimed at combating the growing rate of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the country.
To fast-track the development, the Federal Ministry of Justice and its counterpart in the education sector are currently working to develop standard operating procedures to create a legal pathway for the prosecution of school-related Gender-based violence.
The programme is with the support of the British Council Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Program (RoLAC).
The Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Beatrice Jedy-Agba, gave the assurance while restating the federal government and development partners unwavering commitment to eliminate SGBV.
In a keynote address at the three-day capacity building workshop for Investigators and Prosecutors on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence held in Abuja, Jedy-Agba noted President Mohammed Buhari’s administration has provided all enabling support structures, legal, and the financial requirement to eliminate the social ill of sexual violence against women.
On its part, the Nigeria police said all cases of SGBV would henceforth be handled to its conclusion.
He sounded a note of warning to perpetrators of sexual-based violence that there would different approach to its treatment.
Rita Oki, Deputy Commissioner of Police, in charge of the gender unit, who represented the IGP said there would no longer be instances of any cases of police refusal to release relevant data for prosecution of violators of SGBV.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, regretted that despite government efforts to combat SGBV not much is done in the area prosecution.
She noted that from the available statistics from the national situation room and dashboard set in the federal ministry of women supported by UNDP under the UN/EU spotlight initiative not much has been achieved in the area of prosecution.
“As at November, 2022 the total number of cases reported was 11,053, fatal cases were 401, close cases 592, while open case pending stood at 3, 507 while only 33 have been convicted,” said Tallen.
She added that there is directives to the Inspector-General of Police to deal with all perpetrators in furtherance of the declaration of zero tolerance to rape and other Gender -Based Violence, as well as constant engagement with the Police on the need to promptly address issues of Gender Based-Violence.
Also speaking the Executive Secretary of the National Human Right Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu, encouraged victims of SGBV to always speak out to discourage violators from from getting away with their crimes.
By Kehinde Osasona
https://www.blueprint.ng/sgbv-new-standard-procedure-underway-fg/