House Petitions IGP, Demands Action on Violence Against Women and Girls
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., on Monday led the leadership and members of the House in a significant advocacy walk to mark this year’s celebration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Accompanied by Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Majority Leader Hon. (Prof) Julius Ihonvbere, Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, and several other members of the House and senior aides, Speaker Abbas spearheaded the walk against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Prominent participants in the exercise included the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande; and National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Dayo Israel, among others.
This advocacy walk was part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which seeks to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. The theme for this year’s campaign is “No Excuse for Violence!”
The advocacy train moved from the National Assembly Complex to the headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force, where the House presented a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, urging a thorough investigation and prosecution of cases related to Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
At the main entrance to the National Assembly, midway through the walk, Speaker Abbas addressed the crowd, declaring that the 10th House was committed to intensifying efforts in the fight against GBV and VAWG.
He stated, “This day marks history; a day when the National Assembly has chosen to actively partner with other groups in the country to combat gender-based violence. This year’s programme coincides with a time when, globally, women are in anguish and frustration. The United Nations has issued a damning report, stating that every 10 minutes, a woman is killed somewhere in the world.”
Speaker Abbas called this an unacceptable and unforgivable trend, stressing that parliament must unite with relevant authorities, particularly law enforcement, to curb this dangerous pattern.
He continued, “The National Assembly will do everything possible to drastically reduce, if not completely eliminate, all forms of violence against women and girls in the near future.”
The Speaker also announced that the House would play an active role in the upcoming national action plan against violence toward women, promising to send representatives and participate in the development of pro-poor policies aimed at significantly reducing violence against women, children, and girls.
Speaker Abbas then officially launched the 16-Day Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Following this, Hon. Ogbara, Chairman of the Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, led the delegation to the Force Headquarters, where she presented the petition on behalf of the House, demanding a thorough investigation into cases of violence against women and girls.
The House will continue to engage in activities related to the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence over the next 16 days.
Signed:
Musa Abdullahi Krishi,
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker,
House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
