Lockdown: 3600 Rape Cases Recorded In Nigeria – Minister

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Pauline Tallen, has frowned at the uprise in rape cases nationwide.

She noted with worry that no fewer than 3, 600 cases of rape were recorded during the lockdown.

She further said, “Reports that we received  from commissioners of women affairs across the 36 states of the federation revealed that each state recorded at least, 100 rape cases during the Covid-19 induced lockdown.”

Tallen stated this when she paid a courtesy visit to the Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege,  on Monday.

She clearly applauded  Omo-Agege for spearheading the sexual harassment bill, which was passed in the Senate last week.

Additionally, she also applauded the Nigeria Governors Forum for declaring a state of emergency on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, while also calling for more legislation to protect the girl-child and women.

Omo-Agege told his guest that the approval of the Sexual Harassment Bill was in furtherance of the legislative agenda of the 9th Senate, to protect women’s rights.

He said the proposed law, would not only send a strong signal to those who may want to abuse women but ensure that students are not at the mercy of ‘sexual predators’.

The Bill is meant to prevent, prohibit, and redress sexual harassment of students in tertiary institutions, 2020.

It was passed by the Senate at its sitting on July 7, 2020.

Read also: Sexual Harassment Bill: Omo-Agege Speaks On Why Bill Was Passed Into Law

It prohibits sexual harassment of students in tertiary institutions and prescribes jail term ranging from 2 to 14 years for various degrees of offences.

The proposed legislation also prescribes N5m fine for offenders.