International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflicts

Today is International Day for the Elimination of Sexual 

Violence in Conflicts

International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in conflict was established to create awareness of some of the sexually related abuses which girls and women face, especially the hands of security forces. Here in Nigeria there are so many reports on sexual abuse of women and girls in the IDP.

for instance, last month, precisely on May 24, 2018 the Amnesty International revealed that thousands of women and girls who survived the brutal rule of the Boko Haram armed group have since been further abused by the Nigerian security forces who claim to be rescuing them. According to this report, "The displaced women confined to remote camps have been forced to become "girlfriends" of military in exchange for humanitarian assistance, adding that thousands have died of starvation due to lack of food in the camps. Although, the presidency and the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) have disputed the report, saying it is devoid of credibility. Whether this report is credible or not, the government and all those concerned must do everything possible to women and girls from all forms of sexual violence and conflict, especially during war and insurgencies. After all prevention is better than cure!

The essence of this celebration is to ensure that such vulnerable women and girls are protected.

Unfortunately, most of the women and girls that are raped or sexually abused during war or insurgencies, end up becoming pregnant. Children that are given birth in such circumstances are the ones that suffers most. These children are often rejected even by their own mothers. Each time they see these children they remember their ugly ordeal. They even label these children as bad blood. While the society often rejects them as bastards or even children of the enemy. But the fact remains, these children are innocent. They have nothing to do with the circumstance surrounding their birth. Like every other child in the society they equally have a right to life. This right must be protected.

 In view of protecting the right of these innocent children that were born either during rape or even during war and insurgencies, the theme for 2018 International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in conflict is: “The Plight and Rights of Children Born of War.” Every child has a right to live, even children that are born outside wedlock.  Taking care of these children is a way of solving the problem of insecurity. If these children are not properly taken care of they will join bad gang and start terrorizing everyone in the society.

May God protect our women, our ladies and girls from all forms of sexual violence, especially during conflicts, wars and insurgencies, through Christ our Lord - Amen!