Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Oladayo Jonathan
Published on 2024-03-03 11:00:19
Rape is a horrific crime that continues to plague Nigerian society, especially in the north-western state of Kano. Despite the existence of laws such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act and the Child Rights Act (CRA), which aim to protect victims of sexual and gender-based violence, many perpetrators often escape with minimal punishment.
Asiya, a nine-year-old girl, was brutally raped by a 20-year-old man named Kamilu in Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State. Despite the traumatic experience, Asiya mustered the courage to speak out and seek justice. Unfortunately, even though Kamilu was eventually arrested and sentenced to three months in prison, the judge ruled that the offence was sexual assault and not rape. This lenient sentence highlights a systemic failure in the justice system to adequately address cases of rape.
Kano State, which is yet to domesticate the VAPP Act and the CRA, has one of the highest rates of gender-based violence in the North-west region. The absence of specific laws to tackle rape and other forms of violence only exacerbates the situation, leaving many victims without the justice they deserve. The existing Penal Code Act, which is applicable in northern states like Kano, does not adequately address the complexities of rape cases, especially when it comes to male victims or marital rape.
The case of Saratu, a 17-year-old girl who was raped and impregnated by an adopted son in her uncle’s house, ended in tragedy when she went missing and was later found dead. Despite efforts to seek justice through the court and DNA testing, the perpetrator remains at large. Similarly, four-year-old Khadija and six-year-old Abubakar were also victims of sexual assault in their communities. The reluctance of their families to report the perpetrators out of fear highlights the stigma and fear that surround rape cases in Nigeria.
Efforts to hold perpetrators accountable, such as reporting cases to community leaders, the police, and the National Human Rights Commission, are often met with bureaucratic hurdles and insufficient legal frameworks. The lack of awareness, resources, and support for survivors further compounds the challenges of seeking justice for victims of rape in Kano State.
It is imperative that the government takes urgent steps to address the prevalence of rape in Kano and other parts of Nigeria. Domesticating the VAPP Act and the CRA, strengthening law enforcement agencies, providing support services for survivors, and raising awareness about sexual violence are crucial in combating this heinous crime. Justice must be served for victims like Asiya, Saratu, Khadija, and Abubakar to ensure that they are not silenced or forgotten in the fight against rape in Nigeria.
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