Nigerians Urged to Unite Against Conflict-Related Sexual Violence
The Federal Government has been urged to expedite action to secure the total elimination of conflict-related sexual violence in the country.
A Kogi-born advocate for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Joyce Ajifa Haruna, made the call in a message to commemorate this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict in Lokoja.
Speaking on the importance of the day, the advocate said it was created not only to raise awareness but also to honour survivors of sexual violence and pay tribute to those who have devoted their lives to and lost their lives standing up against these crimes.
Ms. Haruna maintained that despite widespread awareness and condemnation, the scourge still continues globally.
She urged the Government to ensure that sexual violence-related charges against perpetrators are effectively and successfully investigated.
She described sexual violence in conflict as a crime that silences voices, noting that silence deepens when those who speak out go unheard and perpetrators go unpunished.
The advocate emphasised that conflict-related sexual violence is a devastating form of attack and repression with lasting, harmful effects on survivors’ physical, sexual, reproductive and mental health, destroying community social fabric.
Ms. Haruna called on Nigerians to unite to end this despicable crime, demand justice for survivors, and sustain efforts to break the cycle of violence.
She also urged victims to speak up, adding that silence emboldens perpetrators.
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