Rivers Pledges To Punish Sexual, Gender-based Violence Offenders
The Rivers State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the eradication of all forms of sexual and gender-based violence against women, girls and other vulnerable persons.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Benibo Anabraba, stated this in Port Harcourt on Wednesday during an advocacy visit on 16 Days of Activism on the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, from the Centre for Gender, Conflict and Development Studies, University of Port Harcourt.
Anabraba stressed that the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is interested in the welfare of women and will continue to uphold the constitutional duty to protect all persons, especially women and the vulnerable.
He condemned the rising cases of abuse on the female gender, such as rape, trafficking and domestic violence by spouses and partners using their position to unlawfully assault and dehumanise their partners in relationships.
Anabraba said the state government will not fold its arms and allow such wicked practices to continue.
“The Government of Rivers State believes no one has the right to use unlawful acts of violence to harm, deform or dehumanise another, simply because there is a relationship that has been created either by law or by nature.
“We will not encourage or condone those behaviours. In fact, we detest them.
“The duty is placed higher on us to ensure that we prohibit, deter and punish people for such unlawful acts, such as rape and domestic violence,” he stated.
The SSG continued, “We will continue to create awareness on these matters, in accordance with the law, such as the Violence Against Persons Law in Rivers State.
“We will not compromise on anyone who indulges in these unwholesome activities
“We also appeal to parents, guardians and the public to make it a sense of duty to report cases wherever they occur and to also educate their subjects.”
He explained that there are diverse Ministries, Departments and Agencies, State Government that handle cases on welfare of women and the vulnerable persons, including the outreach by Wife of the State Governor, Valerie Fubara singularly and also in partnership with the Renewed Hope Initiatives of the Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to regularly empower and intervene on the welfare of women and vulnerable persons.
Anabraba added that the State will continue to collaborate with well-meaning organisations that strive to protect and enhance the welfare of women and the vulnerable.
“We will continue to interface with your Centre and other well-meaning organisations that are interested in taking up these matters,” he emphasised.
The Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Vera Sam Dike, outlined strategic offices such as the Office of the Public Defender and the Department of Public Prosecution, amongst others, that can be reached by the public to obtain necessary assistance in cases of rape and other crimes against women and the girl child.
The Director of the Centre for Gender, Conflict and Development Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Dr Adaku Ubelejit-Nte, noted that the Global 16 Days of Activism, observed annually from November 25 to December 10, is an initiative aimed at raising awareness and influencing policy.
“This is an international initiative aimed at raising awareness, influencing policy and mobilising action to end all forms of violence against women and girls.
“This year’s observance in Nigeria focuses on strengthening coordinated efforts towards justice, prevention and survivor-centred responses in alignment with the national call for justice for Ochanya and countless other victims of gender-based violence
“In Rivers State in particular, this period challenges us to reflect on the effectiveness of our policies, the state of our institutions and the urgency of our collective action,” she stated.
Sexual and gender-based violence has been a disturbing issue in many parts of the country, with various states taking measures, including legislation, to curb the menace.