Patience Jonathan Calls for Strict Penalties Against Rape in Paris

The First
Lady, Dame
Patience
Jonathan, has
called for
stiff
penalties,
backed by
effective
laws for
perpetrators
of sexual
violence
against women.
Mrs. Jonathan made this statement in her speech in
Paris, France, on December 6, 2013, during the
advocacy meeting on sexual violence against
women.
The meeting was hosted 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.
Mrs. Jonathan urged the First Ladies from over 50
counties present to use their positions to mobilise
support against sexual violence and other abuses
against women.
She said conflict-related sexual abuse should not
be regarded as unavoidable or acceptable
consequences of war because of their devastating
consequences.
Dame Patience further urged leaders and policy
makers to continue to promote girl child education,
women empowerment and gender equality as
critical steps to stop sexual violence against
women.
The First Lady called on UN member states,
especially African leaders, to reassert their
commitment to the effective implementation of UN
resolutions on women.
She specifically advocated commitment to the
implementation of Resolution 1325, which calls 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."
A film on sexual violence in the Democratic
Republic of Congo was screened for the
participants, as well as speeches from the
eyewitnesses of situations in Libya and the Central
African Republic.
The special Representative of the UN Secretary
General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Zainab
Bangura and some of the first ladies in attendance
also spoke at the meeting.
They specifically lend a voice to the global call to
end sexual violence against women.
It would be noted that President Goodluck
Jonathan is participating in the peace and
security summit attended by world leaders also
in Paris. (NAN)
Sent From David Aniemeka