On Tuesday, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, Minister of Women Affairs, said 24,720 Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases were reported in the 36 states and the FCT between September and October 3.

Ms Kennedy-Ohanenye made this known while briefing journalists on incessant cases of reported GBV, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other harmful traditional practices in the country.

The minister said: “We recorded about 24,720 cases of various violence cases that were reported across the 36 states and FCT.

”We also had 975 fatal cases, 1,505 cases that have been closed either at the court, community level, family, religious/traditional leaders or by the survivors themselves due to fear and intimidation.

“Also, 8,540 open cases are still pending either at the police station or within the court, while only 306 were convicted and sentenced within the last four years across the country.”

While decrying the increasing figures, she urged stakeholders to urgently contribute towards eliminating the menace, which has become worrisome and affects the lives of citizens, particularly women and children.

The minister said that establishing mobile courts, especially in rural communities, will promote the rule of law and access to justice and enhance the criminal justice pathway to address violence against women and girls.

She said the recent case of molestation of a nine-year-old allegedly by her father was under investigation, adding that the government will ensure justice prevails.

The minister also decried incidences of jungle justice, whereby mobs were lynching persons. She called for drastic action to forestall such occurrences again and apprehend perpetrators.

She, therefore, reiterated the commitment of the government to end all forms of violence, ensure justice for victims and survivors, and promote women empowerment and girl-child education. 

(NAN)