The Anneozeng Ogozi Aid Foundation (AOAF) has urged the government of Nigeria to strengthen its institutions saddled with the responsibility of checking gender-based violence (GBV) amidst the growing cases of sexual abuse in the country.
Development Diaries gathered that the founder of the foundation, Anneozeng Ogozi, in a statement, said, ‘It is important that the government strengthens its institutions throughout the country to curb the menace of sexual abuse.
‘Child sexual abuse in Nigeria is a grave offence under several sections of Nigeria criminal code.
‘UNICEF has reported that as of 2015, one in four girls and one in ten boys in Nigeria had experienced sexual violence before the age of 18.
‘Sexual abuse is unwanted sexual activity, with perpetrators using force, making threats or taking advantage of victims not able to give consent’.
On the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Ogozi said, ‘Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, schools have been forced to close down, this means that over 17 million children are at home, according to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Institute (UNESCO).
‘The staying at home of children due to the [Covid-19] crisis has served to exacerbate the problem for many children living with abusers.
‘According to the Inspector-General of Police of Nigeria, a total of 717 rape cases have been reported between January and May 2020.
The focus of the foundation is educating children on sexual abuse and other related crimes.
Source: Leadership
Photo source: Leadership