The Executive Secretary NHRC, Tony Ojukwu Esq, has reiterated the Commissions commitment to protect, promote and enforce human rights of Nigerians and those living in the country.
Mr.Ojukwu gave the assurance during the second round of the Special Investigation Panel on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) sitting in Calabar, Cross River State.
The NHRC boss who also Chaired the panel stated that violence based on gender considerations was a global challenge facing all spheres of human society irrespective of their levels of development.
According to him, SGBV were harmful acts directed at a person based on their gender which has roots in cultural, traditional, religion and other man-made practices that promote gender inequality.
“It is a very wide spread human problem which even though affect both sexes, weighs heavily against women and girls.
“The Commission will, therefore, do everything within its mandate and powers to continue to protect the rights of everyone against harmful practices,” Ojukwu said.
The Head, Monitoring Department who is also the Secretary of the Panel, Mr Benedict Agu, stated that the objective of the panel is to receive and investigate allegations of SGBV in the State over the last Ten years and also make recommendations to the appropriate authorities.
The Chief Judge of Cross River State, Justice Akon Ikpeme, noted that the SGBV panel is apt in today’s world, given the increase in number of cases of sexual molestation.
Justice Ikpeme commended the Commission for its laudable efforts in setting up the panel, adding that she would use her office to support the mandate of the panel in getting rid of the menace in the state.
The representative of the Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Asi Achibong, lauded the panel, saying that the exercise was the first of its kind in the state. The Chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Abuja branch, Barr. Rachael Adejo, who is also a member of the panel showed her delight for being a member of the panel, noting that most victims of SGBV who lodged complaints to the panel are women and the vulnerable in the society.
She further stated that her organization will continue to provide pro-Bono (free legal) services and support to victims to enable them live a productive life.
Also, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of International Development Corporation, Mr. Timothy Ogbang Akwaji, stated that because his agency is a clearing House for donor agencies in the State, they will partner with the Commission on SGBV with the aim of reducing the occurrences of SGBV cases to the barest minimum.
