Ozumi Abdul Aliu
As an effective response to the increasing prevalence of Sex and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in Kano state and to improve access to justice for women, children and persons with disabilities, the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) in partnership with Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) on Thursday trained stakeholders on the Kano State amended penal code.
WRAPA Senior Administration and Program Officer, Mall. Muhammad Ma’aifada recalled that the penal code was enacted in the 1960s, and as such has become very obsolete and incapable of addressing the today’s rising spate of gender-based violence in our contemporary society.
Ma’afada stressed that there are no enough penalties provided in the old penal code, this he said gives the perpetrators of these dastardly inhuman acts a field day to continue unleashing domestic mayhems on their victims ceaselessly unabated.
“The issue of rape and other domestic violence are increasing in our society on daily basis due to lack of stark and stiff penalties for the offenders, and that is why we come here to engage civil society organizations, the ministry of justice and other stakeholders to amend the section of the penal code to suit the current realities to stem the rising issues of domestic violence and other related violent acts against women and children”, he submitted.
He concluded that the penal code is still under review in the first reading at Kano State House of Assembly and hopes that the training will provide key stakeholders the avenue for enlightenment on the provisions of the amended penal code.
The State Coordinator, WRAPA, Barrister Fatima Ahmed stated that she is confident that stakeholders would commit to haste the passage of the penal code.
“I know this training would not only increase the level of awareness on the provisions of the amended penal code, but also, it will get stakeholders to make commitment for the prompt passage of the amended penal code,” she assured.
Participants are expected to conduct step-down trainings and sensitize community members about the amendments in the penal code.
1 comment
We need to review the penal code because it only focus on women as rape victims while we have sodomy and it only concentration was on penalties and fine and no compensation for the survivor or victim . penal code did not address cyber crimes and online sex activities . Kano need to amend the penal code .