By Paul Effiong, Abuja
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, yesterday, led members of the House of Representatives to commemorate the 2024 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Speakers alongside members and management staff of the National Assembly were accompanied by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu; Majority Leader of the House, Julius Ihonvbere; Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara, and several other members of the House and senior aides,
Others who participated in the exercise include Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande; National Youth Leader, All Progressives Congress, Dayo Israel, among others.
The advocacy was part of this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, which is aimed at the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls.
The slogan for this year’s campaign is ‘No Excuse for Violence’.
The advocacy train moved from the National Assembly Complex to the headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force, where the House presented a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, to demand proper investigation and prosecution of violence against women and girls.
Speaking during the occasion, the speaker said: “This day is the day of history; a day that the National Assembly has chosen to become an active partner with other groups in the country to fight against gender-based violence. This year’s programme came at a time when, all over the world, women are crying, in anger and frustration. This is the year that the United Nations issued a damning report, that every 10 minutes, a woman is being killed across the world.”
He added: “This is an unacceptable trend. This is an unforgivable trend. We in the parliament must have to unite – more than ever before – with the relevant authorities particularly the law enforcement in ensuring that we curb this dangerous trend to the barest minimum.
“I want to say it categorically clear that the National Assembly will do everything humanly possible to ensure that all forms of violence against women and girls are drastically reduced, if not completely eliminated in the very near future.
Thereafter, the Chairman of the Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development led the delegation to the Force Headquarters, where she presented the petition on behalf of the House, demanding thorough investigation into cases of violence against women and girls.
It was gathered that several other activities are lined up for the 16 Days of Activism against GBV, which the House would be actively involved in.
