The Kaduna State Government has reiterated its readiness to conduct surgical castration for male rapists and bilateral salpingectomy for their female counterparts.
Mrs. Rabi Salisu, the State Commissioner, Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, disclosed this on Tuesday at a Press briefing in Kaduna.
The commissioner spoke at the Gender-Based Stakeholders Meeting/Conference organised by the ministry in collaboration with the Centre for Integrated and Health Programmes (CIHP).
Salisu said that the punitive measures were spelt out by the Kaduna State Government Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPPL), 2018.
She said, “The law followed a lengthy process of advocacy, lobbying and awareness raising by civil society organizations in the state in collaboration with relevant government agencies.
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“Reported cases of violence against women and girls (VAWG) have been notably on the increase in Kaduna state since the passage of the VAPPL in December 2018.
“This could probably be attributed to increased awareness about VAWG and also the availability of the law.”
According to the commissioner, the state has witnessed a rise in cases of gender-based violence.
Salisu said, “According to the National Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Data Situation Room and dashboard for prevention and response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Nigeria, a total of 832 cases have been reported in 2023 so far.”
She said the 16 days between 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and 10th December, were known as the ‘Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign’.
Salisu said: “This period provides a time to stir up action to end violence against women and girls around the world.
“25th November is designated as the Orange the World Day by the UNiTE to End Violence against Women Campaign. The color orange symbolizes a brighter future, free of violence.
“It also serves as a means of demonstrating solidarity in eliminating all forms of violence and it is therefore used as the color of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.”