Former Nigeria Vice President Atiku Abubakar has come up with a suggestion for the institutionalization of a well-funded welfare system as part of the effort to protect and promote the rights of women and the girl-child in Nigeria. Another ways, he said is for the government to combat sexual violence against women by encouraging them to speak out about sexual violence and other violations of their rights and prevention of all forms of child abuse, such as child labour, child marriage and child abandonment.
Atiku, who is one of the Presidential hopefuls on the platform of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), spoke today at the public presentation/launching of a book: “Re-thinking the legal framework for rights of women and girl-child in Nigeria,” in honour of the founder of Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF), Hajiya Amina Titi Atiku Abubakar.
The former Vice President listed the ways to protect and promote the rights of women and the girl-child to include free compulsory basic education for all children under 18 years of age, to be funded by the states and local governments with support of the Federal Government, public health efforts to reduce the rate of maternal and child mortality.
The former Vice President condemned the poor educational, health and social situation of women and the girl-child in Nigeria, even as he criticized the lack of opportunities available to the girl-child.
He, however, commended the effort and foresight of the founder of WOTCLEF and the team that made the endeavour a success.
He described as “very poor and embarrassing, the 2012 Gender in Nigeria report which placed Nigeria at 118 out of the 134 countries in gender equality index stating that the report shows that we are not treating our women and girls well.”
Atiku called on all Nigerians, especially the state and national authorities to do all in their power to redress the situation by complementing the efforts.
Speaking at the event, representative of NAPTIP, Abdulrahim Opotu Shaibu, a director, disclosed that the organization has rescued more than 6,000 trafficked women and children and achieved the conviction of 258 traffickers since the agency came into being.
He praised the role of Mrs. Titi Abubakar in initiating the private bill that led to the enactment of the law providing for the NAPTIP and criminalization of child and women trafficking. [myad]
