In its bid to ensure that its core mandate of investigating and monitoring of human rights situations in the country along assisting victims of human rights violations, the Ekiti State chapter of the National Human Rights Commission paid an official visit to the State Ministry of Information and Values Orientation to solicit government cooperation in its fight against rape and other forms of sexual abuse.
While speaking through the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Adekunbi Obaisi, who received the representatives of the Commission in her office in Ado-Ekiti, the Commissioner, Aare Muyiwa Olumilua, noted that the spate of rape in the country has become worrisome. He however promised that the Ekiti State Government would intensify efforts to curb the hazardous trend.
Stressing the essence of the domestication of the Child Rights Act in the State which would ensure adequate punishment of the culprits, enhance justice to the victims, and guarantee the protection of the children, Aare Olumilua assured that his Ministry would ensure adequate dissemination of information on the campaign against the danger.
While calling on all to say no to the menace, he assured that the government would work assiduously with all relevant agencies to address the ugly trend.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation, who is also the Head of the Commission in the State, Mr. ‘Biodun Adigun appreciated the Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi for approving the operation of the Commission in the State during the JKF1 and for providing an enabling environment for the operation of the Commission.
Seeking the Ministry’s assistance in disseminating information on his Commission’s campaign on the fight against all forms of Sexually Based Gender Violence (SBGV) especially rape that has reached a dangerous dimension in Nigeria, he commended the Governor and the wife of His Excellency, Erelu Bisi Fayemi for being at the forefront on matters bordering on gender-related issues especially the Girl-Child and women.
He observed with dismay that survivors of rape/SBGV cases are usually stigmatized and humiliated by the public which further discourages victims from reporting violations. Such attitudes enable perpetrators to get away with their crimes. However, he urged rape victims to always make recourse to the Commission in the course of seeking redress while reporting the case to the police for better handling.
Last modified: June 26, 2020
