Blessing Taiwo
Stakeholders have strengthened ties and called for the elimination of corruption in Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) cases of marginalised groups across Nigeria.
Discussions and recommendations were presented during a two-day workshop on knowledge and experience sharing on the impact of corruption on SGBV in Nigeria, organised by Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) in partnership with Above Whispers Media Foundation and with support from MacArthur Foundation.
Participants of the workshop were drawn from strategic organisations and marginalised groups which include persons with disabilities, sex workers, LGBTQ— Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer; intersex, survivors of abuse, returnees and survivors of human trafficking, person with HIV/AIDS, amongst others.
Speaking during the workshop held in Lagos, on Monday, Mary George-Peluola, Director of Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) said the objective of the programme is to raise awareness on the ongoing SGBV and the impact of corruption by the police and other service providers.
George-Peluola harped on the need to amplify awareness, build resilience, and foster economic independence among SGBV survivors and at-risk women.
“Corruption significantly exacerbates the prevalence and impact of SGBV in Nigeria, undermining efforts to prevent violence, support survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable while women and girls are disproportionately affected.
“We will look at our issues together, lend our voices and see where we can come together to be the voice of the voiceless to see how we can navigate and recommend solutions, response mechanisms and other issues faced in Nigeria.
“The statistics of gender based violence is enormous. Girls are being molested right in their families. This is one of the things we are committed to, spotlighting the issues and finding solutions to it.
“Injustice and discrimination is what we are standing against. We are trying to eliminate violence. We also advocate law reforms, access to justice. On this, we are engaging the judges,” she said.
Oluwatoyin Ilesanmi, Acting Director, Center for Gender Humanitarian and Development Studies at Redeemers University, Ede and a facilitator at the workshop decried the systemic corruption in the prosecution and judiciary system of Nigeria.
Ilesanmi recommended strengthening and enforcement of laws for justice to be served especially to the marginalised groups.
Marginalised groups include persons with disabilities, minority groups such as persons with HIV/AIDs
These marginalised groups are faced with systemic corruption by law enforcement agencies, judiciary, workplaces, religious places and communities.
Part of the recommendations during this workshop was strengthening laws in Nigeria, enforcement of laws for justice to be served.
