The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) says it received 139, 780 complaints of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria, between 2020 and March 2021.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, gave the indication at an event on Thursday in Abuja to commemorate the 2021 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Ojukwu said the theme of this year’s celebration, “Orange the World: End Violence Against Women Now” resonates hope that it is possible to reverse the trend of gender violence, particularly against women and girls.
The secretary of the commission also explained that the upsurge in Sexual and gender based violence in the last couple of years was exacerbated by the COVID-19 which led to lockdown in several parts of the globe, including Nigeria.
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Ojukwu urged stakeholders to focus attention on public awareness on the menace and ensure the implementation of extant laws and policies that will entrench the culture of accountability around gender issues.
While appealing to Civil Society Organisations (CSO), traditional authorities, and religious leaders to be at the forefront in tackling the scourge of gender based violence, Ojukwu
canvassed for increased sensitisation at the grassroots to get people more conscious about protecting and enforcing their rights and the consequences and punishments that await culprits.
The 16 Days of Activism is targeted at addressing Sexual and gender based violence across the world.
