Stakeholders urged to eliminate political, economic inequality

Sterling Law Centre has urged stakeholders to take action towards bridging economic and political inequality between men and women to end Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

The firm released the statement in commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls and the commencement of the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) against women and girls.

According the statement, signed by Executive Director, Sterling Law Centre, Deji Ajare, despite all efforts that have been made so far for the total elimination of all sort of VAWG, these heinous crimes seem to continue unabated, as VAWG is entrenched in the Nigerian society owing to the patriarchal system practiced.

He explained that gender-based violence includes but not limited to physical, sexual, and psychological violence that occur in the family, community, and workplace, committed and tolerated by society.

“Few days ago, a story broke out of Sadiya, a middle-aged housewife, who was detained and starved for a year by her husband in Yobe State.

“Sadly, she died shortly after being rescued. This story typifies the correlation between economic empowerment and violence against women. Economic power creates security for women and girls.

“The numerous cases of female law enforcement officers becoming victims of these violations are indicative of how deeply ingrained this ill is in our culture.

“It is such that even female members of security and law enforcement organisations are involved. On this topic, two recent examples are as follows:

“An assault, in November 2, 2022 of one Bamidele Olorunsogo, a female police inspector in Osun State by a superior officer for her refusal to yield to his sexual advances, and the assault of a female police officer on traffic duty in November 19, 2022 in Calabar by a soldier leaving her to bleed from the eye,” he stated.

Ajare stated that all forms of gender based violence should not be condoned irrespective of the traditional practices or beliefs of the persons involved, as the fundamental human rights of women and girls should not only be theoretical but enforced and any form of violation strictly punished.

“It is based on the foregoing that Sterling Law Centre is raising its voice in tandem with that of international and national organisations around the globe to fight for the elimination of any form of violence against women and girls.

“We call on all relevant authorities and bodies in Nigeria and the world to rise up against any form of patriarchy, unwholesome traditional practices that might be used as an excuse for the violations of the rights of these women and girls to be abolished,” he declared.