3,600 rape cases recorded during lockdown — Minister

By SUNDAY ABORISADE, Abuja

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Pauline Tallen, has condemned the upsurge in rape cases nationwide.

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

She 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 visited the Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, on a courtesy call on Monday.

She commended Omo-Agege for sponsoring the sexual harassment bill, which was passed in the Senate last week.

She also applauded the Nigeria Governors Forum for declaring a state of emergency on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.

Tallen also called 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.

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

The proposed legislation also prescribes N5m fine for offenders. (The PUNCH)