BY ANTHONY OCHELA, ABUJA
The Executive Secretary of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, has expressed deep concern over the alarming rise in rape cases and wife abandonment reported across its offices in recent times.
According to Dr. Ojukwu, “The celebration of the 2025 International Women’s Day is marred by the increasing cases of rape and other forms of gender-based violence recorded by the Commission.
According to him these heinous crimes undermine the dignity and human rights of women and girls, perpetuating a culture of fear, silence, and impunity.”
He called on the government to strengthen laws and policies protecting women’s rights, ensure effective implementation, and provide adequate resources for victims’ support services.
He also charged law enforcement agencies to prioritize investigations and prosecutions of rape and gender-based violence cases, to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.
The NHRC Boss also urged community leaders to promote a culture of respect, equality, and non-violence, address harmful social norms and practices that perpetuate violence against women.
The Chief Human Rights Officer of the country also challenged the press to responsibly report on gender-based violence, avoiding sensationalism and respecting victims’ rights and dignity.
“The theme for the 2025 International Women’s Day, ‘Accelerate Action,’ emphasizes the critical need for immediate and sustained steps to address the gender disparities that still exist in areas such as education, political representation, and other areas of human endeavor”.
The Human Rights Advocate reaffirms the NHRC’s commitment to continue to promote and protect women’s rights, as well as ensuring access to justice, and supporting victims of gender-based violence.
“We urge all stakeholders to join us in this critical endeavor, together we can create a society where women and girls are valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential.”
International Women’s Day is marked annually on the 8th of March.
