The First Lady, Patience Jonathan has called on Member States of the United Nations, especially, African leaders to reassert their commitment to the effective implementation of UN Resolutions on women, especially, Resolution1325, which calls for greater protection of women from gender based violence.
Dame Patience Jonathan spoke in Paris, France at the advocacy meeting on sexual violence against women hosted by the First Lady of France, Valerie Trierweiler on the sideline of the Elysee Summit for Peace and Security in Africa holding in Paris.
She noted that it was important for First Ladies to use their positions to mobilize support against sexual violence and other abuses against women in view of the devastating consequences of such violence. Conflict related sexual abuse she said, should not be regarded as unavoidable or acceptable consequences of war.
The First Lady emphasized the need for strategic collaboration and the inclusion of men in the global response to the problem because, as she puts it “behind every rape, there is a man”.
Mrs. Jonathan also advocated for stiff penalties, backed by law for perpetrators of sexual violence against women while stressing the need for enthronement of peace for social and economic development.
She similarly urged leaders and policy makers to ensure promotion of girl child education, women empowerment and gender equality as critical steps to stop sexual violence against women.
A film on sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo was screened for the First Ladies in attendance, while they also listened to eye witness accounts of situation in Libya and the Central African Republic.
The First Lady of France, Valeire Trierweiler and the special Representative of UN Secretary General on Sexual violence in Conflict, Zainab Hawa Bangura and other First Ladies in attendance spoke on the need for everyone to lend a voice to the global call to end sexual violence against women, and renounce the persistence conflict related sexual violence.
A communiqué is expected at the end of the meeting.
