Institute decries rising cases of sexual violence against boys, men

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, yesterday, decried the increase in the number of boys and men who now suffer sexual violence.

It also noted that Nigeria could not promote and achieve sustainable democracy and good governance without tackling the worrying issues of sexual and gender-based violence.

According to a statement, the institute said that while women and girls were the most vulnerable and susceptible to SGBV, and need to be supported and protected, boys and men who suffer from SGBV also need to be protected.

It, therefore, urged all critical stakeholders, including the government at the federal and state levels, civil society organisations, the private sector, and others, to deepen collaboration to accelerate progress towards ending SGBV in Nigeria.

Director, Africa and West Asia Region, International IDEA, Dr RobaSharamo, who spoke in Abuja during the 10th Network Conference of Sexual Assault Referral Centresorganised by the Rule of Law and Anti-corruption Programme, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice Sexual and Gender-based Violence Response Unit, said: “It is important to understand that as we try to promote democracy and good governance, we cannot do that in an environment that is hostile to more than half of the African population, which are women. It is, therefore, important that we look at the issues of SGBV.

“SGBV against women is not just a serious human rights issue and justice issue, the increasing number of boys and men who suffer from sexual and gender-based violence did not also diminish the focus on the same.”

In her remarks, the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who was represented by the Director, Women Development, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, FriyaBulus, stressed that the SGBV campaign this year would allow the government, development partners, civil society organisations, and the private sector to accelerate progress towards ending violence against women and girls.