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Aisha Buhari wants Presidential Task Force to check violence against women
BY NICHOLAS ABE
First Lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has restated her call for the establishment of a Presidential Task Force to check the worrisome issue of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the country.
Mrs Buhari’s latest call is informed by recent reports of violence against women, especially the reported gruesome rape and subsequent murder of Miss Vera Omosuwa, a 100-level Microbiology student of University of Benin in Benin, Edo State. There is also the case of an 18-year-old girl, Bello Barakat, who was reportedly gang-raped and murdered by unknown men in Ibadan, Oyo state, at her parents’ house in the Akinyele area of Ibadan, on Monday evening.
“It is devastating to hear about the gruesome death of our daughters who were mercilessly raped by men, who in some cases are their fathers, brothers and protectors of their chastity.
“Women are increasingly becoming vulnerable in a society that is expected to guaranty their safety and we owe it a duty to do everything possible to protect them,” the First Lady lamented.
Aisha Buhari recounted her effort at getting the attention of political leaders, working with the wives of governors, to address the issue of violence against women. She said: “Last year, I started working with governors’ wives of the 36 states to end Gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria.
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“I launched a campaign with the governors’ wives and other stakeholders and issued a statement nation-wide in response to increasing and frequent reports of GBV with the slogan – LEAVE OUR DAUGHTERS ALONE!
“This was followed by a planned advocacy for the constitution of a presidential task force on ending GBV in Nigeria; prospective members were identified. The objective is to review the policy and legal framework on GBV with a view to proposing strengthening measures and an improvement plan.
“In view of the recent developments, I therefore call on all stakeholders especially Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, as well as legal and security agencies, to expedite action so that justice takes it course accordingly.”
The First Lady who expressed her views on her Twitter handle on Wednesday said she would continue to work with the governors’ wives to ensure that relevant structures and policy frameworks are put in place to end Gender Based Violence in Nigeria.