Agency tasks FG on speedy trial of GBV offenders
By Aluta News
Caritas-Nigeria, an agency of the Catholic Church, has tasked Federal Government to expedite actions in the prosecution and punishment of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) offenders.
The Gender Lead of the organisation, Mr Charles Aneni, made the call in an interview with newsmen on the sideline of a walk organised to mark this year’s 16 Days of Activism to End GBV in Abuja on Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 16 Days of Activism is an annual international campaign that runs from Nov. 25, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women until Dec. 10, which is Human Rights Day.
The global initiative is aimed at the elimination of Gender-Based Violence by raising awareness about the devastating impact of violence on women and children, and the social fabric of the society.
The campaign has “UNITE! Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls” as the theme for the 2023 celebration.
The gender lead, therefore, commended the Federal Government for setting up a Situation Room to gather data on precedence of abuse for effective response to GBV.
He added that “government is doing its best but there is still room for improvement and that is why civil society organisations, NGOs and faith-based organisations are able to be the foot soldiers to reach the place where government cannot reach and also to sensitise.
“However, government also needs to do more toward speedy judgment delivery with the law enforcement officers, as well as the legal team in Ministry of Justice.
“This is because most of the delays survivors cry about is that justice delayed most times becomes justice denied.
“So, we need government to step up and l as they are proposing for mobile courts, we hope that the courts will come to light as soon as possible.”
Aneni said that the road walk, which was part of activities for the 16 days of activism against GBV, was to raise public consciousness to say no to rape, no to physical and emotional violence.
On her part, Rev. Sister Maria Dooshima, a Senior Programme Officer, said GBV is a huge global challenge.
She added that the church received many reports of maltreatment, insults, abuse or mental harassment by husbands, colleagues and random men and sometimes women.
“My advice is for survivors to speak out when you feel that you are being maltreated, when you are being abused or assaulted.
“Do not keep quiet because keeping quiet does not solve the problem, but when you speak out, then you will receive help.
“And that is what Caritas-Nigeria is doing to create awareness and sensitise people to know that we are all human beings who deserve to be treated rightly or not wrongly,” she said.
Members of the organisation carried placards which read “Step up, be all you desire”, “Male children are not more important”, “Society works better when women are involved”, “No one is strong at all times,” among others.