Hanan Buhari Decries Low Reportage Of Rape, Others In Nigeria

Hanan Buhari Decries Low Reportage Of Rape, Others In Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari)’s daughter and Founder of the Hanan Buhari Foundation, Hanan Buhari, has bemoaned the low reportage of gender-based violence, rape, and sexual abuse in the country.

She made her position known at the inauguration of her foundation, the Hanan Buhari Foundation, yesterday at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. In attendance was the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

Speaking, Buhari said, “Report revealed that the rape incidences for women and girls is on an increasing trend from 63% in 2015 to 72.1% in 2016 and 69.3% in 2017.

“In spite of increase in activism, cases of rape are still grossly
under-reported. According to data from Nigeria’s National Anti-Trafficking Agency, only 32 cases were reported between 2019 and 2020 for fear of stigmatisation.”

She added, “Undoubtedly, we need to rise up and break this culture of silence, especially now that more women are beginning to have the courage to speak out about their victimization.

“Women and children’s right to live free from violence is dependent on the protection of their human rights and a strong chain of justice.

She remarked, “In spite of acts such as Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) 2015 and various states’ Violence Against Persons Prohibition Laws in Nigeria, which are all aimed at addressing issues of rape and other forms of sexual violence, enforcement of its laws is still sorely lacking in far too many cases.”

Speaking, the SGF said, “We must initiate a conversation about how to deal with this scourge, especially at the family, community and the national level. It has been a major challenge and we must set aside the doctrines of tradition and deal decisively with the culprits.”