Dame Jonathan advocates stiff penalty for rapists

First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has canvassed for strong punishments with legal backing to deter perpetrators of sexual violence against women.

Dame Jonathan spoke in Paris, France at an advocacy meeting on sexual violence against women organised by the First Lady of France, Ms. Valerie Trierweiler, on the sideline of the Elysee Summit for Peace and Security in Africa holding in Paris, France.

The Nigerian First Lady appealed to over 50 spouses of world leaders who attended the summit to effectively explore their positions in mobilising support against sexual violence and other abuses against women.

She however contended that conflict related to sexual abuse should not be regarded as unavoidable or acceptable consequences of war because of their devastating consequences against the dignity of womanhood.

Further, Dame Jonathan advised leaders and policy makers to ensure promotion of girl-child education, women empowerment and gender equality as critical steps to stop sexual violence against women.

While calling on member states of the United Nations, especially, African leaders, to reassert their commitment to the effective implementation of UN Resolutions on women, the First Lady specifically advocated commitment to the implementation of Resolution 1325, which called for greater protection of women from gender based violence.

She emphasised the need for strategic collaboration and the inclusion of men in the global response to the problem of rape saying, “behind every rape, there is a man.”

The high point of the advocacy meeting on sexual violence against women was the play of a film on sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the participants who also listened to eye witness accounts of the situation in Libya and the Central African Republic.

The special Representative of UN Secretary General on Sexual Violence and Conflict, Ms. Zainab Bangura, and some of the First Ladies in attendance took, turn to speak at the meeting in support of the global call to end sexual violence against women.