Ministry task stakeholders on societal ills against women, children

The Ministry of Women Affairs on Friday, urged stakeholders to expose societal ills confronting women and children towards addressing and ensuring prosecution of offenders.

Mrs Pauline Tallen, Minister of Women Affairs, made the call at a book launch titled, “Stain on Humanity,’’ written by a staff at the ministry, Mr Kabir Bakare in Abuja.

Tallen, represented by Mr Idris Mohammed, Director, Economic Services in the ministry said the book exposed societal ills confronting women, children
and other vulnerable individuals in our society.

“The book, which is premised on true life experiences, highlights various events where profound cruelty was committed against humanity.

“It establishes that discrimination, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), deprivation, racism, and other societal ills cut across tribes, religions, and communities worldwide, “ she said.

She said the book depicted real life experiences of cruelty such as physical and sexual abuse, neglect, injustice, deprivation, and denial of human rights committed against women and girls.

According to her, the government had introduced various Social Protection Policies such as Conditional Cash Transfer, In Care of the People (COPE), soft loans and empowerment programmes to address some of the issues.

The minister, while commending the author for bringing issues to the limelight, urged others to emulate the gesture towards addressing the challenges.

Mrs Ijeoma Anagbogu, the ministry’s former Permanent Secretary, while reviewing the book stressed the need for all stakeholders to assist the government in addressing the societal ills.

Anagbogu, also called for the domestication and full implementation of the Child Rights Act, Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act and other policies to protect the rights of women and girls in the society.

On his part, Mr Kabir Bakare, the author of the book, said he was motivated by the need to contribute towards addressing the plights confronting women and children globally.

Bakare stressed the need for attitudinal change and for communities to have zero tolerance for violence and abuse affecting women and children, by reporting to the appropriate authorities.

“All these issues confronting women and children is not just in Nigeria alone, it happens globally such as child marriage, sexual and gender based violence, stereotype and other harmful practices.

“The society, right from the community level needs to frown at such act and it should no longer be tolerated or condone, the culture of silence should be discouraged.

“The government need to strengthen legislation, as well as ensure enforcement of these laws by prosecuting the offenders, which will serve as deterrent to others, as well as support survivors of violence and abuse,’’ he said.

Mr Adeyemo Adeyelure, Chief Social Development Officer in the ministry, stressed the need for stakeholders to support government on programmes that would reduce negative ills affecting women and children.