The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs says it will work with the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and other pertinent government agencies to set up mobile courts to try issues relating to gender-based violence.
This is in a bid to allow for the swift trial of those involved in the act and the subsequent punishment of offenders.
During a briefing for journalists in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs.) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, said the information is part of activities to commemorate the 16 days of activism/the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Kennedy-Ohanenye said when the courts are fully functional, they will make sure that those responsible for such horrible deeds are apprehended, charged, and punished appropriately to serve as a deterrent to others.
Barrister Kennedy Ohanenye said the Ministry, under her direction, will also step up public education campaigns to educate women, particularly in rural and isolated areas of the nation, about the zero-tolerance policy for gender-based violence. Following this, whistleblowers will be hired to report any incidents of child molestation or gender-based violence in the area.
The Minister encouraged parents to continue to watch their children and wards to notice when their moods and expressions change so that they can bring this to the attention of the appropriate agencies for immediate action as it is no longer going to be business as usual.
Barrister Kennedy-Ohanenye also reaffirmed the government’s determination to develop more strategies to ensure that gender-based violence is eliminated in Nigeria.
As a result, she urged pertinent government organisations and development partners to work with the Ministry to combat and eradicate all forms of gender-based violence in the nation.
