The PUNCH Media Foundation says it is organising a webinar on gender-based violence in commemoration of the 2023 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
The webinar, tagged ‘Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria: The What, Why, and Way Forward,’ will be held on Thursday, December 7, at 11 am.
According to PMF, the webinar is against the backdrop of an alarming and recent incident reported by The PUNCH on October 25, where Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court convicted the founder of Optimal Cancer Foundation, Dr Femi Olaleye, for defiling his wife’s 16-year-old niece.
With this “the imperative to address violence against women comes into sharper focus,” a statement by PMF said on Monday, adding that the case was not an isolated incident but rather emblematic of a pervasive issue that demands urgent attention.
“The judge’s verdict, affirming the charges of defilement and sexual assault by penetration, underscores the harsh reality faced by many women and girls in Nigeria,” it added.
“Violence against women remains a deeply entrenched and multifaceted challenge, transcending geographical, cultural, and socio-economic boundaries. The United Nations reports that one in three women globally experiences physical or sexual violence in her lifetime, making it a prevalent and urgent issue that demands concerted action.
“The urgency to address violence against women and girls as a global emergency has been underscored by a United Nations release (UNiTE Campaign, 2022). This release confirms that these cases, considered the most pervasive human rights violations, extend beyond national borders, requiring heightened attention and decisive action from governments, civil society organisations, development actors, and all stakeholders.
“The pervasive nature of violence against women and girls manifests in various forms, including rape, battering, psychological abuse, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, and human trafficking. These violations not only compromise the well-being of individual survivors but also pose a significant challenge to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals #3 and #5 by 2030. The intersectionality of violence against women with issues of mental, sexual, and reproductive health further compounds the urgency of addressing this issue,” the foundation noted.
Stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organisations, survivors of gender-based violence, and the media, will discuss critical issues that border on violence against women and girls in Nigeria to get rid of the menace, the statement further stated.
It highlighted the objectives of the event to include: raising awareness and understanding, empowering survivors/victims, influencing positive media reporting, enhancing legal knowledge and access to justice, and challenging gender discriminatory norms.
The event, which will be moderated by the Head of Programmes, PUNCH Videos, PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Melony Ishola, will feature speakers and panelists from various backgrounds, including mental health institutions, gender advocacy groups, and the Nigeria Police Force, among others.
