Even with the Violence Against a Person Prohibition Act (VAPP Act) and other constitutional provisions in the 1999 constitution enshrined to serve the purpose of justice, the statistics of violence and human rights abuses meted out to women and girl children have increased geometrically in Nigeria.
In an interview with a reporter about documenting measures to reduce the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence and child and early forced marriage, journalist and human rights activist Raliat Abeje Mosunmola stated that the removal of subsidies has increased the rate of gullibility and vulnerability among the less fortunate. What breaks her heart is that women and girls can be easily tricked and violated during this trying time if they are not careful.
“Yes the removal of subsidy was a good decision by the Federal government going by the reasons they gave us, however, many parents in Nigeria are still trying to get their heads above the water knowing fully well that there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
“The schools are on holiday, some students are at home while some are in classrooms for extra lessons. Parents have gone to find their daily bread. Struggling parents don’t have clues to improvise during this period, spiritual homes become the next option in seeking God’s mercy.
“The maxim he who pays the Piper dictates the tune is at play. Insincere spiritual leaders, leverage these indigent worshippers’ predicament and manipulate them.
“Women are becoming more obedient to men of God than they are to their spouses. I believe the loyalty to these clergymen is a result of what they are getting or stand to get from the church or the mosque.
“Industrious single mothers do not have control of monitoring the activities of her beloved daughter and son when at work.
“These categories of women get more frustrated when they are not getting commensurate support from either the working environment, family, or the government.
“They become more vulnerable when their hope is dashed. Their daughters can easily be sexually or verbally abused through the supply of baits and other forms of inducement. Young girls sometimes give in willingly just like a beggar who has no choice when in dire need. They sleep with ‘serial rapists’ who have mastered the immoral art of perpetrating violence against women and girls.
“Tinubu’s government has started well for its ability to save the humongous amount of money that ought to have gone to the pockets of the Cabals milking our economy through the fuel subsidy scheme over the years.
“I want to appeal to the President to ensure the downtrodden get the Palliatives in cushioning the effect of the fuel subsidy in their lives. Women and girls should feel the impact of the intervention. That is the only way the situation at hand won’t make them gullible and more vulnerable,” he said.
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