The Oxfam in Nigeria has called for specialized training for judges, legal practitioners and the police to curb rape, assault and other violence against women and children in the country.
The Oxfam Nigeria, Country Director, Constant Tchona, said this on Wednesday in Abuja at a roundtable themed: “Enough, together we can end violence against women and children” as part of activities marking the 16-Day of Activism Against Gender Violence, themed “Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands Against Rape”
He was represented by the Gender Coordinator-Oxfam, Susan Agada.
He said that adequate and specialised training would go a long way in reducing incidences of sexual violence, assaults, among others.
According to him, when such cases occurred, they will know what to do at every point and the exact punishment for such offences; and if perpetrators are dealt with it will serve as deterrent to others having such intentions.
She listed examples of social norms that drive violence against women and girls as that a man has a right to assert power over a woman and is considered socially superior; a man has a right to physically discipline a woman for “incorrect” behaviour; sex is a man’s right in marriage; and sexual activity (including rape) is a marker of masculinity among others.
“Oxfam believes that the combination of a strong societal condemnation of VAWG and enforcement of existing laws that will upend VAWG. Campaigning that influences more people to believe that they have the power to change social norms has the potential to both reduce violence and to improve responses for survivors of violence,” she said.
According to her, impact/outcome of the campaign: social norms that perpetuate VAWG have been replaced by positive norms and that the overall goals: are change agents in about 30 countries are being mobilized and begun to transform the social norms.
She said the key objects are an increased number of citizens, collectives, and key influencers in participating countries are promoting social norm change as a means of reducing VAWG in their settings; WROs and women’s rights movements are leading in promoting social norm change within their settings.
Also, Meg Igbolo of the National Orientation Agency (NOA); Hassana Lazarus of the Federal Ministry Justice who represented the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation and Blessing Aghile of the ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) were unanimous in calling for actions against rape and other forms of sexual violence against women and especially the girl-child.
