Niger State Govt Partners with Civil Society, Media, and Security Agencies to Combat Gender-Based Violence

The Niger State Government has announced its readiness to collaborate with civil society organizations, media, and security agencies to tackle the menace of gender-based violence (GBV) in the state.

This initiative is supported by a robust legal, policy, and institutional framework.

Mary Yisa, the Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics at the Niger State Ministry for Women Affairs, disclosed this in an interview in Minna regarding the issue of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse/Sexual Harassment (SEAH) in the state.

Two weeks ago, the state government declared that any person who batters their spouse could face a three-year prison term or a fine of N200,000.

Yisa outlined the comprehensive frameworks in place to curb GBV, including the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, Child Rights Act, penal code, and section 34 of the Nigerian Constitution.

“Preventing and responding to SEAH risks requires intensive and multi-layered efforts, involving various sectors such as Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), health facilities, and SEAH service providers,” Yisa stated.

The Ministry for Women Affairs is currently focusing on community awareness and education, capacity building for project staff, and the employment of SEAH experts.

Yisa added, “We are adequately resourcing the SEAH function in the project and enlisting supplementary support from other SEAH prevention and response actors, including health providers, CSOs, community-based organizations (CBOs), and NGOs.”

The ministry also appealed for legislative modifications to address issues such as spousal rape, suggesting lesser charges for such offences, including indecent assault with a maximum punishment of three years imprisonment.

Yisa further highlighted that the definition and punishment of rape have evolved since the enactment of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, by the National Assembly.

Under this law, rape is defined as the intentional penetration of the vagina, anus, or mouth of any person without their consent, using any part of the body or an object.