Women in Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have taken to the streets of Abuja to campaign against incidence of gender-based Violence which the women activists observed is on the increase, through a peaceful walk.
According to a statement signed by the Director, Press & Public Relations, Ministry of Women Affairs, Olujimi Oyetomi, the peaceful walk/campaign which was done on Monday, 4th July, 2022 was tagged “PENGASSAN Women Say No to Domestic/Gender Based Violence”.
It took off from Unity Fountain in the Central Business District of Abuja and was anchored to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs Headquarters where the campaigning women were received by the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, who was ably represented by the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Idris Mohammed.
The Honorable Minister who maintained that gender-based violence is on the increase in Nigeria with the latest being the death of the popular singer, Late Osinachi Nwachukwu, stated that domestic and gender-based violence goes beyond violation on human rights which can impact on anyone, most especially women and girls.
According to the Minister, “Domestic Violence is not only a violation of women and girls’ rights, but the impunity enjoyed by perpetrators and the fear generated by the actions has affected all women and girls involved.
“One out of every three women and girls have been victims of violence and one in every three have experienced physical violence in Nigeria.”
She however noted that “the contribution of women and girls to national development, peace and progress of the country, is unquantifiable.”
Dame Tallen further revealed that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and other stakeholders have taken the following giant steps to stem the tide of this ugly menace through diverse ways such as:
- “Launch of the sex offenders’ register aimed at naming and shaming GBV perpetrators;
- “Launch of the national GVB data-collation tool to enhance SGBV data collection by relevant stakeholders;
- “The launch of toll-free line for the public to report on the cases on rape, violence and abuse (+2348031230651 or +2347053576528) to strengthen access to justice and reduce waiting time for survivals and cut down on delayed justice;
“The Ministry also has a national situation room and dashboard that reports real time figures on a daily basis.” She added.
The Minister finally applauded PENGASSAN Women for their overall efforts aimed at ending domestic violence in Nigeria.
Earlier on, the deputy President, PENGASSAN, Comrade Abua Owan, speaking on behalf of the National President, Comrade Festus Osifo, said that the Association appreciated the efforts of the Honourable Minister in collaborating and advocating against gender-based violence in the country.
The Association further requested more of the Ministry’s support all-round, to aid put an end to the disturbing act.