The Federal Government says it will review the 2017 national policy on justice in order to encapsulate Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) matters.
Justice Minister, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, said this on Tuesday in Abuja in his keynote address at a high-level engagement with states on “Promoting Rule of Law and Enhancing Criminal Justice Pathway to Address Sexual and Gender Based Violence Against Women and Girls.
The three-day programme was organised by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF ) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Fagbemi, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Justice, Beatrice Jeddy-Agba noted that the review will aim at providing a sustainable framework to address SGBV challenges.
“Though the task ahead appears enormous, I call on all various states, stakeholders, state actors and international development partners to commit to the effective implementation of all policy programmes and laws relating to SGBV”.
The Resident Representative of UNDP, Mr Simon Ridley said the interventions under the EU-UN initiatives rooted in victims-centred modality, norms and international standards reflected its shared commitment to creating a safer and more equitable world.
While delivering her own speech, the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy disclosed that her ministry is ready to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in building a robust synergy in its drive to close the existing data gap on SGBV.
She, therefore, enjoined state actors and stakeholders to amplify their advocacy campaigns about the challenges.
Both the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and the Director General National Agency For the Prohibition of Trafficking in Person (NAPTIP), Dr Fatima Waziri-Azi emphasised synergy, alignment, collaboration and support from the judiciary to win the war.
They both also agreed that their strengthening of zero tolerance to SGBV, establishing gender desks across the federation and securing different convictions were all pointers to their readiness.
The policy seeks to promote human rights and access to justice for all, especially the poor, weak and vulnerable.
It also seeks to promote correctional and restorative justice and alternative dispute resolution; Preserve and maintain the plural character of the Nigerian legal system and Promote independence and impartiality of the Judiciary.
