Muslim women on Friday said the girl-child must be empowered with entrepreneurial skills to break the cycle of poverty which exposed them to sexual abuse.
“The girl-child must be trained to know her rights and be self-reliant to minimize chances of such abuse,” the women, under the aegis of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria, said in Jos.
The women spoke through their leader in Plateau State, Mairo Sani, when the association paid a courtesy visit to Media Coalition on Sexual and Gender-based Violence, an NGO.
Sani explained that the girl-child was particularly more vulnerable when exposed to petty trading and hawking to help her parents make ends meet.
Mairo Sani said: “The girl-child is most vulnerable to sexual violence because she is usually sent to hawk goods on the streets and is thus exposed to hooligans who may rape her.
“Many of such cases are not reported because the victims are stigmatized in the society.
“Security agents also frustrate the efforts of complainants since they are usually less privileged.”
The leader, who was represented by her Assistant, Muhibat Abdulrazak, said FOMWAN was partnering with Child Protection Network, sensitize women on sexual violence and report cases of abuse.
In her remarks, Jumoke Olajide, leader of the Coalition, said that the visit was to liaise with groups involved in the fight against gender violence, so as to give voice to the victims.
She called for stricter measures for offenders, and the implementation of the sex and equal opportunity law, passed in Plateau.
Jumoke Olaide said: “Implementing the law will address the menace of sexual and gender-based violence.”
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