THE incessant cases of sexual violence in Nigeria should be cause for great concern.Over the years, rape and other acts of sexual violence against women have not received the deserved attention from the law-enforcement agencies, social workers and courts of the land. Reported cases receive half-hearted media attention, perpetrators go scot-free and victims who may be stigmatised tend to be reluctant to pursue the case to its logical conclusion. It is discussed in hushed tones and defined as something to be ashamed of. Yet, within the international community, it is described as 'perhaps the most pervasive human rights violation as we know it today, violence against women devastates lives, fractures communities and stalls development.' The recent shocking case of a gang rape of a young woman in Abia State and circulation of the incident on the internet brought the issue to the limelight once again in Nigeria. The initial denial and subsequent admission by the authorities that the incident did in fact take place is a pointer to the levity with which rape is treated in the country. Barely had the furore over this incident died down, when a group of women from Ogbozalla Ibeku communities in Opi, Nsukka Local Council of Enugu State, took to the streets to protest against the several cases of serial gang rape of widows by young boys in their community. Just last week, the Kwara State Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of litigation, Alhaji Nureini Kuranga, was quoted as saying that 'majority of the rape cases pending at the magistrates' courts in the state were against minors between two and five years.' He also revealed that the alleged perpetrators were 'mostly sexagenarian and septuagenarian men.'These particular acts of violence in Enugu and Kwara States are unwelcome developments and may be tied to ritualistic and other perverted practices. They are certainly influenced by factors other than sexual pleasure. Currently, there is a growing suspicion that the boys and men who have engaged in the dastardly act may be involved in money-making rituals. Various theories are being put forward for these behaviours. Some quarters of society argue that rape is one of the delinquencies Nigerian youths are exposed to through pornography especially in these days of the internet; and are now practising it. It is also a function of societal care-free attitude to importing external values; glamourisation of sex in advertising; get-rich quick attitudes and substance abuse, amongst other factors. These influence youths negatively and may be responsible for the increase in cases of rape, kidnapping, robbery and other societal ills, which youths especially those in our tertiary institutions are involved in, as exemplified by the case in Abia State University. Paradoxically, it is an unfortunate development in a country that wears religion on its sleeve as it were. Faith-based institutions dot the land and can be found in every nook and cranny. Faith-based events and programmes are regular features on television and radio stations. Gospel and Islamic music is also a prominent aspect of the entertainment industry. Does it mean that what is taught in religious organisations does not impact on society' In a clime where the fear of God, respect for the elderly and common decency reign, those women who are mothers, grandmothers and even great-grandmothers, should be honoured and highly-respected. Cultural and traditional belief systems also forbid women and young girls to be desecrated. Certainly, there is a systematic increase in cases of rape and sexual assault in the country to the extent that it has caught the attention of the international community. According to a United Nations (UN) agency, UN Women, 'timely justice remains the least form of redress while Nigerian laws are very clear in addressing rape as a criminal offence with the consequent correctional punishment.'The alarming trend must be speedily checked. In these days where participatory approach is the cutting edge in human development, it is imperative that citizens also assist government and all its delegated authorities in bringing an end to these discrediting acts of inhumanity by reporting all suspects to the appropriate authorities to ensure that they are brought to book. This must be aimed at reducing the impunity with which perpetrators have been operating in the recent past. The laws guarding against this behaviour are clear and must be allowed to run their course.Under section 316 subsections 2 & 3 of the Criminal Code Act (CCA), persons who inflict grievous harm on others in the course of doing an unlawful act that results in death, are guilty of murder. S.357 states that: 'any person who has unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman or girl, without her consent, if the consent is obtained, by force or by means of threat or intimidation'is guilty of an offence which is called rape.' S.358 of CCA gives a life sentence for the offence of rape. While s.320 (2) of the same Act condemns to imprisonment for life, persons who through their acts endanger human life, for the felonious offence, arrestable without warrant.' From a social perspective, victims must be encouraged to come forward, shielded from ridicule and perpetrators - if found guilty- punished according to the dictates of the law. The laws must be applied and serve as a stringent deterrent against sexual violence towards women. Certainly, there are active roles for civil society groups especially in the areas of social welfare and human rights. Support in terms of long-term counselling for victims and destigmatisation are key.We believe rape and sexual assault are wrong and there can be no justification for such behaviour. Furthermore, sexual violence against women should be condemned in its entirety by all well-meaning citizens. Nigeria as a member of the global community must begin to critically discuss and redress the issue at all levels. It is not enough for Nigerians to cry foul when a case comes to light and after a while, the issue is swept under the carpet. There must be a sustained discourse about this anti-social behaviour and how to stamp it out. Parents and guardians must be vigilant and proactive in putting protective measures in place where such practices have occurred especially against young girls. Indeed, entire communities and opinion leaders must embrace measures to discourage violence towards females. The on-going UNIFEM global advocacy campaign 'Say No- Unite to end violence against women' urges governments around the world to make ending violence against women a top priority. We urge the Federal Government and all other duty-bearers, including state governors, security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, should as a matter of urgency to align with the UN global vision and address the unwholesome insurgence of the violation of women's rights to dignity, peace of mind and body by ensuring that anyone caught faces the law. Human rights, youth associations and women's rights groups in particular, in conjunction with the Federal and State Ministries of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, must take up the gauntlet, advocate and keep the matter on the front burner of gender development issues in Nigeria.
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