The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has condemned the alarming rate of rape and gender-based violence against girls and women across the country.
Senator Tinubu spoke at the maiden Gender and Social Norms Summit organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with her office at the State House on Tuesday in Abuja.
She urged law enforcement agencies and relevant authorities to take decisive action against such crimes against the female gender.
“Recently, the spate of rape cases and gender-based violence has reached an alarming rate. Every single day, we hear about rape cases; even our babies are violated. Do we allow this trend to continue or do we look the other way?
“That is why I am calling on the law enforcement agencies, the Inspector General of Police, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Chairman of the National Assembly, who is the Senate President, to appropriate and enforce stiffer laws and punishment on perpetrators of rape, sexual abuse and other forms of gender based violence.
“No guilty party should be allowed to go free and start roaming the streets looking for the next victim,” she said.
The First Lady said the summit provided a common platform, especially for stakeholders, including wives of governors, to create awareness, share the lessons learnt and promote effective strategies for preventing and responding to GBV and other harmful practices.
“We must also develop state-specific action plans and promote the allocation of adequate resources in government budgets to support gender equality initiatives and GBV prevention programmes. Each state has its unique cultural, social, and economic contexts, and our plans must reflect this diversity.
“There must be improved legislation to give, and enforce appropriate punishment to perpetrators of rape, sexual abuse and other forms of gender based violence, who are dangerous and not deserving of roaming the streets. We have to speak not only firm and tough but act accordingly,” Senator Tinubu said.
Education Minister Tahir Mamman emphasised the critical role of education in addressing GBV and harmful social norms.
The minister praised the First Lady for her commitment to advancing women’s rights, stressing that education is the key to empowering girls and ensuring their safety.
He highlighted the Federal Government’s provision of free and compulsory basic education, saying there was need for creating safe and supportive school environments for girls.
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi emphasised the need to address deeply entrenched gender norms that perpetuate violence against women.
Represented by the Solicitor General of the Federation, Beatrice Jessy-Agba, the minister noted that societal practices often condone such violence, which he said is rooted in patriarchal frameworks that dictate women’s roles and behaviours.