The Human Rights Commission was disturbed and has expressed concern over 133 million Nigerians who are living in multi-dimensional poverty and the violation of rights of thousands of women and children, saying it is a challenge that requires the input of everyone to curb the menace.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, stated this in a press statement to mark the commemoration of 2022 International Human Rights Day, which a copy was made available to THE NIGERIA STANDARD in Bauchi on Tuesday. It further said that this year’s celebration is timely, considering, the millions of out of school children, millions of people internally displaced by conflicts and floods across the country, which is a cause of concern.
He said that the day is set aside by the United Nations for the introspection on values of human life, dignity, equality and freedom of human beings regardless of any peculiar circumstances.
The Executive Secretary, who was represented at the occasion by Bauchi State Coordinator of the NHRC, Madam Yahcit Suzan Dala, disclosed that the day was preceded by a series of activities to mark the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence against women and children from 25th November to 10th December. It included advocacy visit to traditional and religious leaders, visit to schools, CSOs, Speaker of the House of Assembly, NBA/FIDA among others.
She further said her office partnered with major stakeholders, the Bauchi State government to create awareness of the dangers of SGBV. She added that most survivors are afraid to speak because perpetrators are known to them.
” For NHRC as a national institution established for the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria, this year’s celebration amplifies the plight of over a 133million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty, the millions of out-of-school children (highest in the world), the millions of our brothers and sisters internally displaced by conflicts and floods across the country, the thousands of women and children, survivors of gender-based violence. These challenges require collective solutions by all.
“One of the main factors of SGBV is the misunderstanding of women and girls. It is a collective effort; nobody can do it alone. We work in collaboration with key stakeholders; medical personnel, the judiciary, law enforcement, and CSOs.
“The effort is to sensitize people about the menace, to advocate for the passage of some laws about the menace and not just the passage but to make sure that there is the implementation of such laws to logical conclusion”, the Secretary of the Commission said.
