Oluremi Tinubu, Governors’ Wives Sign Agreement To End Harmful Practices Against Women.

Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, and wives of state governors signed an agreement on Tuesday to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and harmful social practices against women.

The agreement was signed in Abuja during the inaugural Gender and Social Norms Summit 2024, which was organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Renewed Hope initiative in partnership with the First Lady’s Office.

In her keynote address, the First Lady stated that the prevalence of harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child marriage, which in some cases results in Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF), and other forms of violence against girls and women remains unacceptable.

She stated that, despite various efforts, the prevalence of these practices continues to rise, lamenting that the number of rape cases and GBV had reached an alarming level, not sparing babies.

She asked: “Do we let this trend continue, or do we turn a blind eye? That is why I am contacting law enforcement agencies, the Inspector General of Police, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the National Assembly.

“To enact and enforce stricter laws and punishments for rape, sexual violence, and other forms of gender-based violence.
No guilty party should be free to roam the streets looking for the next victim.”

Tinubu acknowledged that collective action was required to put an end to the practices, while also advocating for the creation of state-specific action plans to promote the allocation of adequate resources in government budgets to support gender equality initiatives and GBV prevention programs.

She stated: “This summit provides us with a common platform to raise awareness, share lessons learnt, and promote effective strategies for preventing and responding to GBV and harmful practices.”

Mr Koessan Kuawu, UNFPA Officer-in-Charge of the Nigerian office, stated that family planning was not only an important health intervention but also a cornerstone of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

He did, however, lament that in many Nigerian communities, social norms create misconceptions and cultural barriers, impeding the adoption of family planning.

He emphasised that Nigeria’s vast population places it in a unique position globally in pursuing the Social Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030.

He did, however, praise the government for its unwavering commitment to creating an enabling environment through the passage and enforcement of critical legislation, such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act 2015, as well as the implementation of the National FGM Policy, National Child Marriage Policy, and state-specific action plans to eradicate FGM and child marriage.

He stated, “These milestones were achieved through persistent advocacy efforts aimed at strengthening the adoption and implementation of these laws.”

Kuawu stated that, while eliminating GBV and harmful social practices was a monumental task, it was not insurmountable, insisting that “with the right resources, political will, and community support across the states, we can change the narrative for women and girls in Nigeria.”

Mrs Uju Ohanneye, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, has advocated for harsher penalties for perpetrators of violence against women.

She stated, “Overseas, where they are afraid to commit crimes or social norms or things that can harm another, it is because when you do it, you face the consequences, both legally and otherwise.

“However, in Nigeria, once you have a connection, it dies a natural death, and we forget so easily.
“So, to support this program, we at the Ministry of Women Affairs will work to ensure that there are consequences if you commit a crime.”

Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Attorney-General of the Federation, defined social norms as the unspoken rules or expected behaviour that establish social standards for appropriate and inappropriate behaviour in a particular culture or social group.

Fagbemi, who was represented by the Federation’s Solicitor-General, Mrs Beatrice Agba, stated that gender-based violence encompasses various forms of violence directed at individuals based on their gender, which are frequently rooted in unequal power dynamics and social norms.

Fagbemi stated that the practices “can unfortunately be attributed to the patriarchal and male dominance theoretical framework in place in our society.”

He stated that the Federal Ministry of Justice understands the critical role that the justice system plays in addressing gender and social norms issues by providing a framework for accountability, protection, and empowerment.

The Attorney General went on to say that by upholding the rule of law, promoting gender equality, and advancing justice for all, the justice system can make a significant contribution to creating a more inclusive, equitable, and just society for current and future generations.

He stated that, in addition to ongoing legislative reforms, the ministry was collaborating with key stakeholders to engage community actors such as traditional rulers, faith-based organisations, and informal community justice systems to address the ideas and institutions that perpetuate violence against women and girls in the criminal justice system.

“We are starting a pilot phase with the Area Councils in collaboration with the chairmen to support ongoing dialogue and initiatives on this subject.”