Information and Culture, Women Affairs Ministries Plan National Campaign Against Rape

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said
his ministry is partnering with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs
to launch a national campaign against rape and gender-based violence
in the country.

The Minister stated this in Abuja on Thursday when he received a
delegation of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), led by its
Executive Secretary, Mr. Tony Ojukwu, on an advocacy visit.

“As a matter of fact, the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture
is partnering with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to launch a
national campaign against rape and gender-based violence. This
campaign will include advocacy, public sensitization and social
mobilization.

”The campaign is necessary not only to raise the level of awareness
about rape and gender-based violence, but to ensure that Nigerians own
the fight against the abhorrent and repulsive criminal acts,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed assured that the government will leave no stone
unturned in its efforts to stamp out rape and other forms of violence
against women..

“I can assure you that the Federal Government will do everything
possible to stem the growing tide of rape and gender-based violence in
the country,” he said.

The Minister quoted the Inspector-General of Police as saying that
between January and May 2020, a total of 717 rape cases were reported,
and expressed delight that 799 suspects were arrested during the same
period, while 631 cases were conclusively investigated and charged to
court.

In his remarks, Mr. Ojukwu said the Commission is carrying out a week
of activism, with the theme ‘Equality and Dignity for Women”, as part
of its advocacy against rape and gender-based violence.

He called on the police and other first responders to be more
proactive in checking the cases of gender-based violence in the
country, and described rape as the violation of the right to life and
dignity of the victim.

The NHRC Executive Secretary sought assistance from the Minister in
the campaign, especially in utilizing the public information organs to
create more awareness on the issue.