President Buhari has shown commitment to eliminate harmful practices, curbing the impact of COVID-19 pandemic – Tallen

Maryam Aminu

The present administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR has demonstrated high commitment not only to eliminate harmful practices against women and girls; but also, to curb the rampaging impact of COVID-19 pandemic and other SGBV.

The Hon. Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen stated this, Thursday, at the media briefing to flag off activities in commemoration of activism in ending violence against women and girls.

Tallen said “to eliminate this, the starting point of conversations around abuse is through the control of risk factors and swift intervention when any form of abuse occurs.

She explained that Orange has been adopted as a colour to denote anti-violence and equality in view of its bright and optimistic nature. It combines yellow and red to radiate that alluring and energetic feeling in giving hope to victims and survivors of violence.

The Minister reiterated that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs as the National Machinery provides overall leadership, guidance and supervision for implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting on progress and challenges of all women and children related International, Regional and National Treaties, Conventions, Protocols and Policies.

According to a new report from UN Women, based on data from 13 countries since the COVID-19 pandemic, 2 in 3 women reported that they or a woman they know has experienced some form of violence and are more likely to face food insecurity.
“Only 1 in 10 women said that victims would go to the police for help. These figures are mirrored in Nigeria, with 30 per cent of girls and women aged between 15 and 49 reported to have experienced sexual abuse. Insurgency and protracted conflict have only served to worsen the occurrence of GBV in the North-East. Harmful practices such as child marriage are prevalent in Nigeria, with 43% of girls married before the age of 18; while 20% of women aged 15 to 49 have undergone FGM”

“This trend is unacceptable, and we will intensify efforts with the Federal Ministry of Justice to ensure justice for victims and survivors, be rest assured that the Federal Government of Nigeria will not rest on its oars to bring perpetrators to book” Tallen assured.
“In the light of this, a significant amount in our 2022 budget has been dedicated to fight Gender Based-Violence nationwide. Mr. President in his 2022 Budget Statement to the National Assembly has gone a step further to direct that Ministries, Departments and Agencies must devote some amount in their budgets to address gender-related issues”

Also speaking, in her good will message, the UN Women Country Representative, Comfort Lamptey said gender based violence remained one of the biggest threats to countries globally.

This is a wake-up call for solving the problem at its root, while this problem remains pervasive, it is not preventable.

“Preventive methods are critical to ending GBV.

“It requires a commitment from all of us to work against the harmful practice that sustains gender inequality.

“More men need to step up to form forces with some right advocates through the UNWomen joint spotlight initiative to engage stakeholders in the community, traditional rulers to address some of the patriarchal norms that encourage gender inequality, she added.

The founder Albino Foundation Mr Jake Epelle reacted that albino foundation has developed sexual and gender policy and they are implementing it right away.

” Interestingly our colour is associated to orange, Epelle said.

He assured the ministry of their support and endorsement.

” Not only do we stand with women but we stand with everyone that their right must be protected. Your right is not negotiated,”Jake concluded.

Speaking also, the Inspector General of Police,Usman Alkali Baba who was represented by AIG Aisha Abubakar said on the side of the police, IGP is trying everything possible to ensure that Nigeria Police is turned into a gender responsive force.

Alot of measures are put in place for effectiveness of curbing all forms of gender base violence, Alkali Baba assured.

Call To Action: End all forms of Violence Now;Pauline Tallen Flags off 16 Days of Activism

The present administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR has demonstrated high commitment not only to eliminate harmful practices against women and girls; but also, to curb the rampaging impact of COVID-19 pandemic and other SGBV.

The Hon. Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen stated this, Thursday, at the media briefing to flag off activities in commemoration of activism in ending violence against women and girls.

Tallen said “to eliminate this, the starting point of conversations around abuse is through the control of risk factors and swift intervention when any form of abuse occurs.

She explained that Orange has been adopted as a colour to denote anti-violence and equality in view of its bright and optimistic nature. It combines yellow and red to radiate that alluring and energetic feeling in giving hope to victims and survivors of violence.
The Minister reiterated that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs as the National Machinery provides overall leadership, guidance and supervision for implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting on progress and challenges of all women and children related International, Regional and National Treaties, Conventions, Protocols and Policies.

According to a new report from UN Women, based on data from 13 countries since the COVID-19 pandemic, 2 in 3 women reported that they or a woman they know has experienced some form of violence and are more likely to face food insecurity.

“Only 1 in 10 women said that victims would go to the police for help. These figures are mirrored in Nigeria, with 30 per cent of girls and women aged between 15 and 49 reported to have experienced sexual abuse. Insurgency and protracted conflict have only served to worsen the occurrence of GBV in the North-East. Harmful practices such as child marriage are prevalent in Nigeria, with 43% of girls married before the age of 18; while 20% of women aged 15 to 49 have undergone FGM”

“This trend is unacceptable, and we will intensify efforts with the Federal Ministry of Justice to ensure justice for victims and survivors, be rest assured that the Federal Government of Nigeria will not rest on its oars to bring perpetrators to book” Tallen assured.
“In the light of this, a significant amount in our 2022 budget has been dedicated to fight Gender Based-Violence nationwide. Mr. President in his 2022 Budget Statement to the National Assembly has gone a step further to direct that Ministries, Departments and Agencies must devote some amount in their budgets to address gender-related issues”

Also speaking, in her good will message, the UN Women Country Representative, Comfort Lamptey said gender based violence remained one of the biggest threats to countries globally.

This is a wake-up call for solving the problem at its root, while this problem remains pervasive, it is not preventable.

“Preventive methods are critical to ending GBV.

“It requires a commitment from all of us to work against the harmful practice that sustains gender inequality.

“More men need to step up to form forces with some right advocates through the UNWomen joint spotlight initiative to engage stakeholders in the community, traditional rulers to address some of the patriarchal norms that encourage gender inequality, she added.

Speaking also, the Inspector General of Police,Usman Alkali Baba who was represented by AIG Aisha Abubakar said on the side of the police, IGP is trying everything possible to ensure that Nigeria Police is turned into a gender responsive force.

Alot of measures are put in place for effectiveness of curbing all forms of gender base violence, Alkali Baba assured.

The founder Albino Foundation Mr Jake Epelle reacted that albino foundation has developed sexual and gender policy and they are implementing it right away.

” Interestingly our colour is associated to orange, Epelle said.

He assured the ministry of their support and endorsement.

” Not only do we stand with women but we stand with everyone that their right must be protected. Your right is not negotiated,”Jake concluded.