UNDP, EU push for laws to end rape, violence against women

By Our Reporter

August 6, 2020 The UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU) have reaffirmed their call for strong legislation to help end the rising rape cases and violence against women in the country.

They made the call at a Virtual Roundtable Conference with traditional and religious leaders on “Eliminating Gender Based Violence and Harmful Practices Against Women and Girls.”

The conference was jointly organised by the UN Spotlight Agencies under the EU/UN Spotlight Initiative programme, a multi-year partnership to eliminate all forms of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

The EU has offered an initial seed funding of 500 million Euros, inviting other donors and partners to join the Initiative to broaden its reach and scope.

Public participation, ambitious political action that are built on evidence-based policies, as well as increased resources and knowledge generation are all vital to the Initiative.

Mr Edward Kallon, the UNDP Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, said that the impact of COVID-19 made rape and violence against women another pandemic.

He added that “violence against women is a crime against humanity and should be totally condemned.

“We need a strong legislation to stop this inhumanity which is becoming a norm in our system.”

Kallon said that women consistute about 50 per cent of Nigeria’s population, adding that “the Nigerian economy cannot grow without full participation of women.”

“Men have a role to play in ensuring that violence against women, harmful practice and rape are completely eliminated from our communities.

“Women can do what men are doing  if we create an enabling environment for them to operate,” he said.