Disability Advocate Demands Stricter Punitive Measures To Tackle Sexual And Gender Based Violence

….Urges Women, Girls To Speak Out Against Their Abusers

Disability Rights Advocate, Lois Auta has called on the Federal Government to do more than casual talk to arrest the growing scourge of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV).

Speaking to Inclusive News Network, INN, Auta, who is also a person living with disability and a strong voice for Network of Disabled Women, noted that the increasing cases had become worrisome and Government must be seen to be ready to curtail the tide.

She said a recent nationwide protest carried out by a coalition of civil society organisations against the scourge at the Police headquarters was to demand for a State of Emergency on SGBV and the domestication of VAPP Act and Child Rights Act.

“Our objective (for the protest) was to demand for a state of emergency on Sexual And Gender Based Violence in Nigeria. We want the parliament to expedite the process of adopting and domestication of VAPP Act and Child Rights Act.

“I joined my colleagues in the development space in the peaceful protest and thank God the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Femi Gbajabiamila) responded yesterday during the courtesy visit by the organisers that he will ensure our requests are granted by the domestication of the two acts mentioned above,” she said.

Reacting to the recent cases of rape and murder of girls in their prime, Auta described it as heartbreaking and devastating, saying that it was a disheartening that women and girls have to go through such despicable trauma.

“When a deaf girl is raped, how can she share her story? When a blind girl is raped how can she tell the world about the animal who raped her? When a woman in a wheelchair is attacked, how can she run or defend her herself? When an autistic girl, cerebral palsy or down syndrome girls are raped how will they tell their stories?

“I’m enraged. I’m in tears. Where is our conscience?” Auta questioned.

She also urged the Government to ensure that stringent or stricter punishment to rapists and rape apologists, adding that the educational curriculum should also be inclusive by educating our children on SGBV.

“They should set up Healthcare facilities in the six geo-political zones. Rapists should take care of victim’s hospital bills. I also expect that government will immediately sign all the laws on sexual rights,” she said.

She also urged the men folks to see other women and girls as their sisters or relatives who should be treated with respect and true love.

On her advice to girls going through such trauma, Auta said, “Report all cases of SGBV and do not keep silent. Women and girls with disabilities should be given their sexual rights because they suffer more discrimination than others.

“Stop raping us, stop killing us, we have the right to live and live freely,” she insisted.