Leke Baiyewu, Abuja
The House of Representatives has decried the rising cases of violence against women and girls, urging the federal, state and local governments to galvanise an action plan against the menace.
The House made the call at the plenary on Wednesday in commemoration of the ‘International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women,’ which is marked every November 25.
The Deputy Chief Whip, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, had moved a motion of urgent public importance to seek government protection of women and girls.
Moving the motion that was unanimously adopted by the lawmakers, Onyejeocha said, “The House is worried that the Violence Against Women and Girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today.
“It is largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it.
“The House is further worried that it manifests itself in physical, sexual and psychological forms which include intimate partner violence — battery, psychological abuse, marital rape, femicide; sexual violence and harassment — rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual advances, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, street harassment, stalking, cyber harassment human trafficking – slavery, sexual exploitation; female genital mutilation; and child marriage.
“The House believes that in commemoration of this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, there is an urgent need to call on government and relevant stakeholders to develop action plans for gender-responsive investment to expand basic public education, infrastructure, health care and security in rural areas.”
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