By Chika Otuchikere, Abuja
A recent report released by the Gender Strategy Advancement International (GSAI) has shown that 79 percent of approximately 2.5 million Nigerians in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp across the country are women and girls.
The statistics was made known, over the weekend, at the official launch of the GSAI in Abuja, an event which attracted international agencies, including the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Macarthur Foundation, Action Aid, Korean Embassy as well as the first Lady of Bauchi State.
In her opening remarks at the event, which commemorated the International Day of the victims and survivors of terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other forms of violence, the executive director of GSAI, Adaora Onyechere, said the event “is a call to redefine, reawaken, the core of our needs to find sustainable engagement that will help end the terrorism, banditry, and community crisis that leave women further impoverished, unmapped, desolate and displaced”.
Onyechere who noted that the core of the conversation is how to end terrorism in Nigeria said “In Nigeria, women and girls make up at least 79 percent of approximately 2.5 million people or more displaced people across the country. Over more than 1000 women and girls have been kidnapped from schools, villages, with the Abuja-Kaduna train incident adding to the numbers.
“Unfortunately, while the focus on victimised girls has helped to garner international support, the efforts have continued to overlook the role that women and girls play in the insurgency’s operations and ideologies in Nigeria.
“Despite international condemnation of terrorism, victims often struggle to have their voices heard, their needs supported and their rights upheld. Victims often feel forgotten and neglected once the immediate aftermath of a terrorist attack fades, which means profound consequences for them.
“With terrorism and extremism taking a heavy toll on communities in Africa in recent years, there is need to involve women in the fight against these evils”.
She accused the Nigerian government of not making any discernible efforts to integrate women in counter insurgency operations forgetting that women are reputed enablers of insurgents activities and should constitute a strong target in the deradicalisation, disarmament and reintegration processes.
The first lady of Bauchi state, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed, while decrying the security situation of the country, lamented that havoc perpetuated by insurgents have destroyed the lives of people, especially women who, she said, are the most vulnerable.
She called on all critical stakeholders to give more attention to the root causes of vices of insecurity with a view to finding lasting solutions.
Hajia Mohammed commended the GSAI for the efforts to bring the plight of women affected terrorism to the front-burner, urging Nigerians to play effective roles in the fight against insurgency.
“It is quite unfortunate that most of the part of the country, over the years, are facing security challenges including terrorism, banditry, pipeline vandalism among other violence and crimes.
“The negative development has continued to create havoc to the lives of people, especially women and girls who are most vulnerable. International day of remembrance of the victims of terrorism is quite imperative as it aims at promoting and protecting the full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedom.
“The fight against banditry, kidnapping and terrorism should be a collective responsibility. Although the government has the higher responsibility, parents and other well meaning citizens have a great role to play in that direction,” she said.