Gender-Based Violence Unacceptable – Speaker Abbas

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has said the unfortunate trend of gender-based violence would not be accepted in Nigeria.

Speaker Abbas said this as he led members of the House on Monday in presenting a petition on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

Speaking at the Police Headquarters, Abbas noted that women are crying in anger and frustrated all over the world because of the ugly trend of gender-based violence.

The initiative was part of activities commemorating the 2024 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, themed ‘No Excuse for Violence!

He described as unfortunate, the United Nations report that a woman is killed every 10 minutes across the world. He stated that tough action must be taken against perpetrators.

“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 has issued a damning report, that every 10 minutes, a woman is being killed across the world.

“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 law enforcement to ensure that we curb this dangerous trend to the barest minimum,” Abbas said.

The House Speaker promised legislative action from the National Assembly to support the fight against gender-based violence.

“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 eliminated very shortly.

“I also want to announce that the National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives, will play an active role in the next national action plan against violence against women, which will be coming up very soon. We will send our representatives. We will also participate actively in ensuring that pro-poor policies are enacted to significantly reduce the incidences of violence of all kinds against women, against children, against girls,” he promised.

The event saw the participation of notable figures, including the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande; and APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel.