Stakeholders in Kaduna State have called for stronger enforcement of existing laws against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), insisting that consistent prosecution of offenders is critical to ending impunity and securing justice for survivors.
They made the call yesterday during a stakeholders’ engagement programme to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict under the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) programme.
The event brought together representatives of civil society organisations (CSOs), government ministries, development partners, youth groups, women advocates and peacebuilding institutions to discuss strategies for preventing sexual violence and improving support for survivors.
Speaking at the event, country coordinator of Care Front Nigeria, Mr Maaji Peters, said sexual violence had increasingly become a weapon used during conflicts and periods of insecurity to deepen trauma, instil fear and exploit vulnerable persons.
According to him, the engagement was organised by partners implementing the SPRiNG Project to draw attention to the devastating impact of sexual violence on individuals and communities.
Peters said the project brings together organisations including Care Front Nigeria, Engaging Borders, Interfaith Mediation Centre, Gender Awareness Trust and the Yusuf Bala Usman Institute, alongside relevant government ministries and institutions, to promote peace building and social cohesion.
While acknowledging progress recorded in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence, Peters noted that rape, domestic violence, forced marriage, abduction and other forms of abuse still persist.
He cited the establishment of Sexual Assault Referral Centres in Kaduna State and increased involvement of civil society groups in providing psychosocial support, trauma counselling and assistance to survivors.
“The issue is that we are beginning to normalise these acts. Domestic violence, rape, forced marriage, abductions and other forms of abuse are still taking place. We must continue to speak against them because they are not what we want to see in our society,” he said.
Kaduna State representative of the SPRiNG Programme, Barau Emmanuel, said the commemoration provided an opportunity for stakeholders to unite against sexual violence in conflict situations and within communities.
He described SPRiNG as a four-year, United Kingdom-funded initiative aimed at reducing violence, promoting peaceful coexistence and strengthening the resilience of communities affected by conflict and climate-related challenges.
“We have discovered that some people play the role of supporters to violent sexual conduct by trying to shame victims. We must put a stop to that and also end the culture of secrecy and silence that allows perpetrators to continue these harmful practices,” he stated.
On the issue of castration for convicted rapists, Peters said although severe punishments could serve as deterrents, policymakers should carefully consider their broader implications, insisting that perpetrators must be held accountable irrespective of gender.
Also, a participant, Jude Kantiok, expressed concern over the difficulties many survivors face in accessing justice due to weak implementation of laws and delays within the justice system.
Similarly, a youth participant, Faith Marcus, urged victims and members of the public to break the culture of silence and speak out against abuse.
“Most times people are afraid of stigma, intimidation and what society will say if they speak out. We want victims to know that there are people willing to listen to them and support them without judgment,” she said.
Marcus advocated sustained public awareness campaigns, peaceful coexistence initiatives and economic empowerment programmes to reduce vulnerability and strengthen community resilience.
