Wives of Governors of the 36 states of the Nigerian Federation have denounced violence against women and children in the country, calling for the creation of Rape and Sexual Offences Desks in police stations nationwide where they did not exist, and ensure that appropriately trained personnel were designated to provide timely support for victims.

This was just as the governors’ wives called on the state governors, the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly to facilitate the passage of enabling laws to protect women and children from violence and abuse.

The concerned mothers and citizens equally urged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to direct the Nigeria Police to treat rape and defilement cases with the speed and seriousness such cases deserved, in order to ensure justice for victims.

The governors’ wives made this call in a statement jointly signed by wife of the Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Chairman, Northern Governors’ Wives Forum, Mrs. Amina Abubakar and Chairman of Southern Governors’ Wives Forum, Mrs. Betty Obaseki, while pledging their support for the First Lady, Hajia Aisha Buhari, on the need the Federal Government to urgently take proactive measures to stem increasing cases of violence against women and children.

Tribune Online recalls that the First Lady recently urged for action to be taken to forestall rising cases of sexual abuse against women and children in the country.

The governors’ wives said the call became imperative due to daily reported cases of rape, violence, sexual harassment and murders of women and children, even as they urged the general public to address this issue by supporting victims to get justice and breaking the culture of silence and stigma which prevented victims from coming forward to make claims.

The governors’ wives, while lamenting that even women and children with special needs had become targets of sexual violence, urged the Nigeria Police to be tactful and supportive in the handling of alleged sexual offences and take measures to prevent the intimidation of victims by families and associates of suspects.

“As concerned mothers and citizens, we hereby call on the Inspector-General of Police to direct the Nigerian Police to treat rape and defilement cases with the speed and seriousness such cases deserve, in order to ensure justice for victims.

“We are also requesting that the Nigerian Police should be tactful and supportive in the handling of alleged sexual offences and take measures to prevent the intimidation of victims by families and associates of suspects.”

Speaking further, the governors’ wives implored the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, as well as State Attorneys-General to fast track cases of rape and defilement, even as they demanded the setting up of Special Offences Courts for rape and defilement cases whereby such cases could be charged to the courts and heard without undue delays.

“We beseech the Minister of Health to ensure the provision of timely, sensitive and comprehensive medical services to victims of sexual violence. We plead that all medical facilities be equipped with Rape Kits and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent rape victims from contracting HIV.

“It is also our hope that professional counselling services can be made available to sexual violence survivors,” they said.

“In this regard, urgent medical attention, shelter, counselling and other support mechanisms for survivors are important. We plead with all political, religious and community leaders to speak up against the abuse of women and children.

“We encourage civil society organisations and women’s support groups to continue to advocate on behalf of victims as well as provide all relevant services. We acknowledge the efforts of organisations such as WRAPA, which was created by former First Lady, HE Justice Fati Abubakar, and many others across the country who have been working tirelessly on these issues,” they added. (Nigerian Tribune)

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