The senate has called for an end to violence against women in the country. The upper legislative chamber tasked the police with prosecuting those found culpable of gender-based violence (GBV).
The resolutions of the senate followed a motion sponsored by Ireti Kingibe, senator representing the federal capital territory (FCT), and 16 other senators.
The motion was to commemorate the 16 days of activism against GBV celebrated by the United Nations every year.
While moving her motion on the floor of the senate on Thursday, Kingibe said GBV is a “pervasive problem worldwide”
“Women are vulnerable and are at risk. More is needed to ensure that women live and are free of violence,” the FCT senator said. “The fatalities from GBV are more than 1,000.”
On her part, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, said women have also suffered in the hands of women.
“Nigerian women and the world have suffered in the hands of not just men but women and in various organisations,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said. “I support the call for a stop to the violence.
Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo north, said there should be stiff penalties for GBV offenders. “I think we need to review the laws that have to do with violence against women. We need to make the penalties stiffer,” Oshiomhole said.
“We should pass laws with appropriate tools to enable the police to prosecute. “Sermonizing alone won’t change the minds of those who think they have the right to oppress.”
Reacting also in support of the motion, Sen. Abdul Nnigi said “we have seen severally, how women have be treated wrongly, we should go beyond rhetorics and raise laws that will carry women along. Women on the other hand should rise to the occasion and not allow themselves to be treated as commodities by men.
Senator Plank (Plateau central) ”we need to create more avenues for women to find enough ground to maximize their potentials. In Rwanda, women are giving opportunities to be in the parliament. I will suggest that a legislation be put in place to bring in more women to a better play ground.”
In support of the motion Dr Sumaila , Senator representing Bauchi North. said “We in the medical side see it as one of the mental health issues that we shy away from. Mental disease are not given proper attention in our society. Some Rapist go through mental illness that push them into such acts. We need to give more attention to issues about mental health “
The motion was adopted after it was put to a vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
