SGBV: NAPTIP decries rising violence against women, girls in Abuja
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has decried the recent spate of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
NAPTIP director-general Fatima Waziri-Azi stated this at a sensitisation and dialogue meeting with community leaders drawn from the six area councils of the FCT on Thursday.
Ms Waziri-Azi said the agency received a report of 1,100 cases of domestic SGBV between January and October.
According to her, the rate of violence against women in the FCT has become alarming, hence the sensitisation to address the menace, revealing that out of the number of cases reported within the period, 126 were investigated. Twenty-six were resolved through mediation – alternative dispute resolution, reconciliation and arbitration.
The NAPTIP boss added that out of the 126 cases investigated, 54 were withdrawn based on the complainants’ request, while others were filed at the court.
“Most times when people come to report, and we start (an) investigation, sometimes we file those matters in court and start prosecution, the next thing the woman will write seeking to withdraw the case,” the anti-trafficking chief explained. “Inasmuch as it is their right to decide to withdraw the case, we as an agency become usually very curious to know the reason.”
Ms Waziri-Azi added, “I tell you that 100 per cent of the time, the reason why women withdraw these cases from the agency is because of societal pressure from family, community leaders and fear of deprival.”
The NAPTIP director-general said the agency had secured four convictions, with 84 cases pending in court.
“Majority of these cases, including battery, were reported from Abuja municipal area council. A lot of cases where men hit their wives and push them out of the house, child abuse, we have seen a lot of these around AMAC,” stated Ms Waziri-Azi. “Some of them are currently with us at our shelters as we investigate them.”
The NAPTIP boss also talked about cases of abandonment of children from parents, either of both and cases of abandonment of wives and children from the fathers.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Heading 4
UK women, partners to get two weeks’ bereavement leave after miscarriage from next year
“From April, women and their partners will be entitled to two weeks off after any pregnancy loss,” Mr Burnham said.
Africa
Climate Change: 32 million West Africans may become refugees by 2050, says ECOWAS
ECOWAS says 32 million West Africans risk being displaced from their communities due to climate change.
States
Navy recovers 182,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Rivers
The Nigerian Navy recovered 182,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Rivers.
Economy
Edible oil tanker drivers suspend planned strike
NUEOTDN President Ilias Aperun said the decision followed interventions by the federal government and the State Security Service (SSS).
States
Lagos APC governorship candidate Hamzat rallies voters for 2027
Mr Hamzat expressed concern about declining voter participation, noting that of the 6.2 million registered voters in Lagos in the last election, only about 1.2 million voted.
Economy
NMDPRA begins consultations on anti-competition regulations in petroleum sector
The proposed regulations are designed to address abuse of dominance and promote fair, non-discriminatory access to essential petroleum infrastructure.
