The Civil Society Coalition on Sustainable Development (CSCSD) has appealed to Federal Government to intensify efforts to reduce inequalities through actualisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Dr Tola Winjobi, the National Coordinator of the coalition, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday in commemoration of the Zero Discrimination Day.
The Zero Discrimination Day is celebrated globally on March 1 every year, as a reminder to celebrate diversity and reject all kinds of discrimination.
The United Nations first celebrated Zero Discrimination Day on March 1, 2014, after UNAIDS, a UN programme on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) launched its Zero Discrimination Campaign on World AIDS Day in December 2013.
Winjobi said that discrimination had continued to undermine efforts toward achieving a more just and equitable world and causes pains and sufferings for many people in Nigeria.
He said that income inequality had increased with widening disparities in salaries of Federal, State and Local Governments’ workers, ethnicity, religious intolerance, bias, among others.
According to him, to solve the issues, the governments need to be deliberate in the implementation of its policies, saying it is not enough to have policies, but sanctions must follow the violation of those policies.
“We have to look into some policies that favour the rich over the poor, that’s why the gaps between the haves and have nots are widening daily.
“Policies on issues that affect the citizens should be an inclusive one, irrespective of who is involved,” he said.
Winjobi said Nigeria has great policies and laws on Disability Act, Child’s Rights Act, Financial Inclusion, Sexual Violence, among others.
He, however, noted that the challenges with such policies and laws was implementation.
“The police asking the victim to produce video or picture evidence before the perpetrators can be charged to court in the case of sexual assault, is that not being ridiculous.
“How can a lady produce recording of rape in action as an evidence, when it is not a set up?
“Or police telling a complainant to go and settle the issue at home because incest or domestic violence is a family affair. This shouldn’t be.
“Let the law take its course. Let the offender be charged to court, and face the consequences of his actions. We shouldn’t treat the issues of Sex and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) with kids gloves.
“How many employers have been punished for discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS, even when evidence of such cases are brought to the notice of the authorities?
“Many persons living with HIV/AIDS are denied employment because of their health status,” he said.
Winjobi said that everyone must collaborate to end discrimination against the rights of every Nigerian.
He said that strengthening institutions and sensitisation of the citizens on their rights should be improved.
The coordinator said that tackling inequality and discrimination would promote peace, security, save more lives and enhance social and economic development. (NAN)
