Foundation seeks stiffer penalty for perpetrators of femicide

The Executive Director of FAME Foundation, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, has called for stiffer penalties against perpetrators of femicide in the country.

Briefing newsmen on Monday in Abuja, she said this would curb the high rate of activities of perpetrators of femicide against women and girls.

Femicide, the intentional killing of women and girls because they are female, is a serious crime that is on the rise in Nigeria. It often stems from ongoing patterns of violence against women, driven by deep-rooted beliefs that men should have control over women.

Globally, femicide is seen as a violation of human rights, with the United Nations reporting that more than 89,000 women and girls were killed in 2022 and 2023.

According to Atoyebi, change of attitude of the enforcers of the laws would also encourage victims and relatives to speak out on the crime.

She said: “The girlchild, young women, young female adults are endangered in Nigeria. Femicide has become a pandemic and a state of emergency needs to be declared on this often-overlooked issue. Victim blaming must end.

“Femicide, the intentional killing of women and girls because they are female, is a serious crime that is on the rise in Nigeria. It often stems from ongoing patterns of violence against women, driven by deep-rooted beliefs that men should have control over women.

“In Nigeria, femicide is often concealed due to societal stigma, fear of retaliation, or shame experienced by the victims’ families. Many cases go unreported, leaving families devastated and perpetuating a culture of silence. The imbalance of power between men and women fuels this violence, with men feeling entitled to control women, even if it means taking their lives.”

On ways forward, she said: “We need to strengthen existing laws that address SGBV and ensure its enforcement. Perpetrators of femicide must face swift and adequate punishment to deter future crimes.

“It is critical to break the silence surrounding femicide. Public education programs that dismantle harmful gender stereotypes and promote gender equality can help reduce this culture of violence.

“Engaging men and boys in conversations about gender equality and non-violence is important in changing the harmful gender norms that perpetuate femicide.”

She, therefore, urged “the government, civil society organizations, parents, religious bodies, traditional and community leader, and all citizens of Nigeria to unite in the fight against femicide.”