Over 3,600 Rape Cases Recorded During Lockdown – Minister Of Women Affairs

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

Tallen made this known 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.

The Senator noted with concern that more 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.

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

Tallen called for more legislation to protect the girl-child and women.

Omo-Agege speaking to his guest said 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.

Passed by the Senate at its sitting on July 7, 2020, the bill 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.