By Hajara Leman
#TRackNigeria: An international rights
Ms Hauwa Shekarau, the country Director of Ipas, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Saturday.
NAN reports that Ipas is an international organisation working in the area of reducing abortion-related death and injuries as well as increase women’s ability to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights.
She said cases of GBV were on the increase, but the perpetrators of the act were not held to face the wrath of the law.
Shekarau, who is also a legal practitioner, said if perpetrators would not be brought to book, the cases would continue to escalate.
“Any matter that was reported must be investigated and not to mere settle the matter between the culprit and victim.
“A crime is a crime and should not be settled, except that matter is taken to court and court says the suspect is not guilty.”
She also identified fear of stigma as one of the factors hindering people from reporting GBV cases to the police.
“Fear of stigmatisation is not doing harm to our societies.
“But allowing the culprit to face the wrath of the law will serve as deterrent to other perpetrators of the act.
She also said NGOs,community-based organisations, religious and traditional leaders should encourage the public to report cases of GBV to the appropriate authorities.
NAN reports that Ipas trained 20 selected journalists from Gombe, Jigawa and Taraba States on Women’s Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights for three days in Gombe. (NAN)
