Women Affairs Minister pledges policy reforms to combat gender-based violence

Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has assured Nigerians that she will take the lead in championing and reviewing policies aimed at strengthening the fight against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Nigeria.

During a webinar on Thursday titled “Voice Across Nigeria: A Call for Nigerian Women to Fight Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence,” Sulaiman Ibrahim emphasized the urgent need to increase efforts in providing support for victims of SGBV.

The minister expressed her gratitude to all participants and reminded them that the issue of SGBV affects everyone; anyone can be a victim, not just the less privileged.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim emphasized the importance of supporting victims and pledged to lead these initiatives, announcing that a stakeholders’ meeting will be convened next year.

“There is no reason why anyone should face any kind of violence. We must as stakeholders chart a course to end SGBV. Decisive actions must be taken now, and we must not cultivate rapists.

“We must review also the legal instruments, and strengthen it, so that offenders would know that they will end up being prosecuted and will end up in jail.

“Sexual and Gender based violence is everybody’s problem because anybody can be raped, so it is not limited to the less privileged alone. Count on me to take up police review, take charge and carry out necessary interventions.

“I had encounter will some survivors few days ago in Lagos, and I listened to their stories which are heart rendering. All I can say is that we need to support victims. It’s a Clarion call. They have suffered. Let’s provide immediate support. Let’s triple up our efforts.

“I am here to lead, to support development partners, non-governmental organisations, Nigerian women and the media. We will keep on convening this kid of webinars and the time is now.

“Another challenge we have is that we do not have enough shelters or safe homes, but despite that, we should be intentional. Yes we have scarce resources but we need to tap into the resources of our developmental partners, and we must align to a national action plan which must be accelerated.”

In her contribution, the wife of Kwara State Governor, Professor Olufolake Abdulrasaq, thanked the minister and added that the spouses of the Nigerian Governors Forum shared the passion of the Honourable Minister, and that they have shelter homes in 12 states, and will welcome more interventions from governments, with a call that advocacy ans sensitization should continue.

Lawrence Bajah

Women Affairs Minister pledges policy reforms to combat gender-based violence