Wife of Nigeria’s Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Toyin, on Thursday, May 12, 2016, spoke at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, CSIS, on the fundamental rights of displaced women and girls in Nigeria. The event was organised by CSIS Africa Program.
Mrs Saraki, who is the founder and President of the Wellbeing Foundation, noted that gender-based violence has plagued Nigeria and there is a desperate need for Nigerian policymakers and the international community to invest in protecting the women and girls in the camps, and explore assistance for psycho-social counselling of displaced persons; largely situated in the Northeast.
She disclosed that thousands of girls and women have been victims of violence and kidnappings by Boko Haram and that they need the protection and security.
At the event, Mrs Saraki expressed the urgent need for the Government of Nigeria and international organisations to work together and reduce gender-based violence in the camps.
She explained that there needs to be a register of all missing persons nationally, while providing health integrated certifiable identities to displaced persons, to aid restoration of their constitutional human and citizenship rights, while Mrs Saraki commended the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA, of the Federal Government in its ongoing efforts to ensure food security and safety for all in the camps.
“As a mother, it pains me to acknowledge that someone else’s daughter is not as safe as mine. I believe in equality and equity for all lives, and I believe that no matter your personal circumstance or location, you should be able to live a safe and secure life. I hope that Nigeria can move forward and improve the status of our women and ensure their safety,” Mrs Saraki said.
