News Editor
A Gender Specialist, Advocate and Entrepreneur, Mrs Amina Omeri has called for a robust mechanism that would ensure continuous discussions bordering on gender based violence beyond the 16 day advocacy observed annually.
Omeri pushed for this during an exclusive TMS News interview in Abuja, held to commemorate this year’s campaign on the growing phenomenon in the country.
Recall that the 16 days campaign against Gender Based Violence commenced internationally and is held on the 25th of November every year.
The campaign billed to end on Friday, 10th December seeks to challenge violence against women and girls in the society.
Omeri who described gender based violence as a grave human rights offence, called for GBV education ib all public spaces to create mass awareness.
“Gender Based Violence means violence directed at an individual based on his or her sex.
“It is also a deliberate attempt to violate someone based on gender, simply because you think you have the power to do so.” She said.
The Humanitarian also emphasized the need to uphold the provisions of the Nigerian constitution as it concerns human rights.
“The constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria provides for the protection of human rights. These rights are right to live, right to liberty, right to thought, expression and religion, right to belong to any gender be it a male or a female.” She stated.
Speaking further on the absence of quantitative data, a factor she said is seriously militating against the fight against gender based violence, Omeri concluded that among other things,
“…there is an absence of quantitative data because a lot of people do not speak out especially when they are victims. Some keep quiet because of fear of stigma, some due to ignorance making studies in the area less attractive..
“Also, stigmatization plays a vital role in the absence of quantitative data but it still boils down to victims not being properly informed and aware of why it is very important that they speak out.
“That is why we are having this conversation so that the general populace can take the cue and know that violence against anyone be it a girl or a boy is a crime that it could be traumatic on the individuals and it affects us all as humans.” She added.
Omeri further explained that GBV is not limited to rape as some people make it seem, she said GBV cuts across other aspects of violence against people on the basis of their sexes.
“Gender based violence goes beyond rape. It could be physical, emotional, economic, electronic like cyber stalking someone based on his or her gender, and other harmful traditional practices.” She said
She also called on the society to channel more efforts in healing victims of GBV, saying that most times, perpetrators disappear after perpetrating the acts, leaving the victims to suffer the aftermaths alone.
“Often times getting perpetrators of GBV especially armed groups and in some cases security forces to face trial could be very difficult but then as a society the victims should be our priority, getting the victims rehabilitated through counseling and also empowerment will help them heal and heal well.” She said
Talking about self defense, she said martial art education is important for girls and boys to master the art of self defense against GBV offenders.
“There is also the need to educate girls and boys that are minors on ways to protect or defend themselves against GBV offenders in society as well as report any violation no matter how little it may seem.” She said.
Omeri also touched the aspect of policy and laws, saying that policies against GBV need to be adopted and domesticated by all states of the federation for effectiveness.
“Talking about policies and laws, Nigerian legal system is tripartite; the Islamic law (Sharia), the English law and the customary law and most times they clash.
“Take for instance, a girl is regarded as an adult when she turns 18 in Southern Nigeria but in Northern Nigeria it could be age 13 or when they attain puberty. The Child Rights Act, Marrage Acts and other laws often times clash. This makes it a bit difficult to manage especially sexual violation cases.” She explained.
Omeri also called on the police and the judiciary to be diligent in the discharge of their duties on GBV related cases.
“The police and the entire criminal justice system have very important roles to play in the fight against GBV.
“To really achieve success in the fight against GBV, the law enforcement agents and also legal officers need to be trained on how to handle the intricacies of GBV cases.” She said.
Omeri called on Gender advocates in Nigeria and beyond to consider equality in their advocacies, saying that GBV is a monster that respects no one irrespective of sex, tribe or status in society.
“Gender activists must advocate for equality, this is necessary because GBV affects both sexes even though the society tends to border more on the female folks than the men.
“I want to tell you this for free, the male folks also suffer GBV in various forms and in great numbers too. Advocacies therefore should be all inclusive.
“The Nigerian judiciary also needs to give priority to GBV cases, I think to start with, there is need for the entire judicial system to be overhauled in line with global best practices.” She said
Finally, the humanitarian explained the need for the campaign against GBV to go beyond the 16 days annual advocacy, saying that such campaigns should be incorporated into our daily lives.
“Gender based violence campaigns need to be incorporated into all forms of empowerments programs in the society instead of just waiting for the annual 16 days campaign.
“This will enhance the awareness capacity of the populace in gender related violence.” She concluded.
