President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter Hanan Buhari has decried what she described as low reportage of rape, sexual and gender-based violence cases in the country. She said this at the inauguration of the Hanan Buhari Foundation which took place at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Mrs. Buhari said that Nigeria’s rape culture had been in existence and tolerated for decades and it was time to speak out for the emancipation of women’s rights. She added that the offence which had always been shrouded in secrecy due to ingrained patriarchal sex stereotypes, structural and systemic oppression women face, among others, must be stopped. “Report revealed that the rape incidences for women and girls is on an increasing trend from 63 per cent in 2015 to 72.1 per cent in 2016 and 69.3 per cent in 2017. “In spite of increase in activism, cases of rape are still grossly under-reported. “According to data from Nigeria’s National Anti-Trafficking Agency, only 32 cases were reported between 2019 and 2020 for fear of stigmatisation. “Undoubtedly, we need to rise up and break this culture of silence, especially now that more women are beginning to have courage to speak out about their victimisation. “Women and children’s right to live free from violence is dependent on the protection of their human rights and a strong chain of justice. “In spite of acts such as Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) 2015 and various states’ Violence Against Persons Prohibition Laws in Nigeria, which are all aimed at addressing issues of rape and other forms of sexual violence, enforcement of its laws is still sorely lacking in far too many cases,” she added.
Also speaking, Mr. Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who commended the foundation for coming up with the initiative, added that it was important for victims of rape to speak out. “We must initiative a conversation about how to deal with this scourge, especially at the family, community and the national level. “It has been a major challenge and we must set aside the doctrines of tradition and deal decisively with the culprits. “The punishment must also be punitive in such a way that it will serve as a deterrent to people that will ever contemplate in defiling children or rape anyone,” he said. NAN
