By Tobias Lengnan Dapam
In its renewed efforts towards addressing the issue of sexual and gender-based violence in the country, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has secured the endorsement of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to establish mobile courts for quick dispensation of matters relating to harmful practices and other social vices against Nigerian women and girls in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by Ohaeri Osondu Joseph, Special Assistant, Media to the Minister.
The statement said while conveying the Governors’ Forum approval, the Minister of Women Affairs, Barr Uju Kennedy Ohanenye expressed her delight over this development which will go a long way to promote her Ministry’s renewed approach towards tackling social vices which affects women and girls in the country.
According to her “ the Governors’ Forum has endorsed the establishment of Mobile Courts dedicated to addressing issues of sexual and gender-based violence, child abuse in the form of street begging, and expedited trial of women and children held in Correctional facilities” she said.
Speaking further, the Minister also indicated that the Governors have pledged to support this initiative in their various states even as she is engaging the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Hon. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) on the next line of action.
It will be recalled that the issue of Mobile Courts has been on the front burner as part of initiatives by the Minister of Women Affairs among other arrangements to address the plight of Nigerian women and the girl child.