Abuja records over 3,000 gender based violence

No fewer than 3,072 cases of gender-based violence have been reported in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Two thousand of the 3,072 cases were reported within the first 100 days of the new Secretary’s tenure in office.

This disclosure was made by the Secretary of the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Adebayo Benjamins-Laniyi, while marking her 100 days in office on Thursday at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

She explained that the increase in the number of reported cases of gender-based violence in the FCT was due to renewed confidence that residents now have in the new authorities in charge of the FCTA.

Benjamins-Laniyi, who restated her determination to “leave no woman behind” and “leave no adolescent behind,” disclosed, “We have even had men come in to report abuses against them.”

She vowed to evolve “policies, politics, and personal interactions” in the discharge of her duties to ensure an all-inclusive administration.

The Secretary, who revealed her plans to work towards the revival of the defunct FCT female football team, FCT Queens, added that cases of adoption have been temporarily suspended.

According to Benjamins-Laniyi, she hit the ground running on assumption on October 24, 2023, had stakeholder consultations with the First Lady of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, the Women Affairs Ministry, and familiarization visits to women groups, among others.

The Secretariat, within 100 days, also carried out gender-based violence (GBV) sensitization programs for wives of traditional rulers and Area Council chairmen in the FCT.

It also celebrated the 2023 UN Women 16 days of advocacy against GBV in FCT, as well as hosted the First Lady’s Renewal Hope Humanitarian Programme for the aged.

Benjamins-Laniyi also said that she has undertaken a tour of all facilities under her office, including FCT Unity Children’s Home in Gwako, Gwagwalada; FCT Transit Home/Juvenile Correctional Centre and Karu Children’s Home.

Others include Baby Friendly Centres/Creches in Areas 11 and 3; FCT Women Vocational and Empowerment Centre, Zuba; Poultry Farm Project, Pasali; and Groundnut Processing Centre, Kulo in Abaji, among others.