Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has condemned the rampant cases of rape in the state, promising to deal decisively with anyone caught in the dastard act
He disclosed this at the formal launch of Nasarawa State Action Plan (SAP) on the domestication of the United Nation’s Security Council Resolution (1325) on women peace and security, on Thursday, in Lafia.
He was joined during the launch by the United Nation Country Representative, Ms. Comfort Lamprey and the Country Director, ActionAid, Nigeria, Mrs Ene Obi.
The governor recalled the recent defilement of a three-month old baby in Adogi village of Lafia Local Government Area in the state, stressing that his government was doing everything possible to ensure that perpetrators of rape in state are brought to book.
According to him, with the domestication of SAP in the state, women and girls will be protected against all forms of sexual and gender based violence committed against them.
“It is imperative to state that the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 of 31st October, 2000, recognised the impact of armed conflict on Women and Girls in the society.
“This Resolution increased the participation of women and incorporates gender perspectives in all the UN peace and security efforts.
“It also accords women the rights and necessary support to participate in peace resolutions, as well as to protect them against war and sexual violence.
“Today’s occasion is, therefore, significant considering our commitment towards the inclusion of women in the security architecture of the state to ensure the entrenchment of peace and harmonious co-existence amongst the diverse ethnic nationalities in the state,” he said.
The United Nation’s Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Comfort Lamprey, represented by Ms. Olubukola Ademola, programme analyst, Women, Peace and Security of UNWomen, expressed profound gratitude with the government of Nasarawa State.
Also, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria (AAN), Mrs. Ene Obi, noted that women were the most vulnerable group in conflict situations, thus the need to include them in peace-building processes.
Mrs. Obi further stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has further put women and girls in more danger, resulting to increase gender-based violence across the country.
“Women have been abused and exposed to violence in the communities and even in their homes.
“We are sensitising and building the capacity of women and girls from many communities to understand and demand for their basic rights through the women to ensure that every woman in state is liberated from the influence and effect of violent extremism and increase
sustainable development,” she noted.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Halima Jabiru, applauded the governor for his concern for the welfare of women in the State.
She called for more involvement and participation of women in government for the promotion of peace and security in the state.
