Weak enforcement fueling sexual, gender-based violence – UN

The United Nation Resident coordinator in Nigeria, Matthias Schmale, has blamed the growing incidents of sexual and gender-based violence on weak enforcement.

He said this at the opening ceremony of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2023.

He said although the UN is committed to its fight against violence against women, weak enforcement of policies and discriminatory practices remain a significant problem.

He urged the federal government to strengthen essential services for survivors and enable a safe environment for victims to speak up.

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Schmale praised the Minister of Women Affairs for the creation of the mobile courts for SGBV cases across the country, saying that it was a significant move in terms of giving abused women and girls access to justice and being able to have successful prosecution of victims.

Earlier, the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, said the creation of mobile courts across the 36 states of the country was to hasten the judicial process as it concerns victims of sexual and domestic violence.

She said, “We have gotten approval from the Governor’s Forum to set up mobile courts in all 36 states of the country. We are aware that most GBV cases are poorly handled and attended to, which is why the creation of these courts is very important.

“Once these courts have been set up, it will be easier for victims and complainants to get the justice they deserve.”