November 27, (THEWILL) – The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has said that it will collaborate with the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and other relevant government agencies, to set up mobile courts to enable the speedy trial of persons involved in gender-based violence.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the ministry’s Head, Press and Public Relations, Grace Njoku.
According to the statement, the Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, said this on Friday, while briefing journalists in Abuja during the 16 days of activism, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Kennedy-Ohanenye said when the courts become fully operational, it will ensure that people involved in such heinous acts are promptly arrested, prosecuted and punished accordingly, to serve as deterrents to others.
The statement partly read, “Barrister Kennedy Ohanenye informed that the Ministry under her watch will also intensify public enlightenment campaigns to sensitise the women, especially in rural and remote areas across the country, on the zero tolerance for gender-based violence, after which whistle-blowers will be engaged to report back any case of child molestation or GBV in the environs.
“While assuring the government’s determination to develop more strategies towards ensuring that gender-based violence becomes eliminated in Nigeria, the minister advised parents to continue to monitor their children and wards in order to notice when their moods and expressions alter so as to draw the attention of relevant agencies for immediate action as it is no longer going to be business as usual.
“She, therefore, called on relevant government agencies and development partners to join hands with the Ministry in its effort towards the fight and elimination of every form of GBV in the country.”
