The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Pauline Tallen, has condemned the upsurge in rape cases nationwide.
She noted with concern that no fewer than 3, 600 cases of rape were recorded during the lockdown.
She said, “Reports that we received from commissioners of women affairs across the 36 states of the federation revealed that each state recorded at least, 100 rape cases during the Covid-19 induced lockdown.”
Tallen stated this when she visited the Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, on a courtesy call on Monday.
She commended Omo-Agege for sponsoring the sexual harassment bill, which was passed in the Senate last week.
She also applauded the Nigeria Governors Forum for declaring a state of emergency on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
Tallen also called for more legislation to protect the girl-child and women.
Omo-Agege told his guest that the approval of the Sexual Harassment Bill was in furtherance of the legislative agenda of the 9th Senate, to protect women’s rights.
He said the proposed law, would not only send a strong signal to those who may want to abuse women but ensure that students are not at the mercy of ‘sexual predators’.
The Bill is meant to prevent, prohibit, and redress sexual harassment of students in tertiary institutions, 2020.
It was passed by the Senate at its sitting on July 7, 2020.
It prohibits sexual harassment of students in tertiary institutions and prescribes jail term ranging from two to 14 years for various degrees of offences.
The proposed legislation also prescribes N5m fine for offenders.
Francis Essien Archibong
In the same vein, during the lockdown, many have been accused of abused by their wives including a
former military officer Francis Essien Archibong, father to Uduak Frances Essien Archibong who now
fears the father for abuse and assault and violent conduct. Francis was fired by the Nigerian Army for
failure to pass his exams.
Separated from his wife for violent conduct for years and recently attacked her during the lockdown.
