NAPTIP Condemns Abuja's Escalating Cases Of Violence Against Women and Girls
The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has condemned the recent uptick in sexual and gender-based violence observed by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
Fatima Waziri-Azi, director-general of NAPTIP, made the remarks on Thursday at a sensitization and dialogue meeting with community leaders selected from the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Ms Waziri-Azi reported that between January and October, 1,100 cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) were reported to the agency.
According to her, the number of reported violence against women in the FCT has increased to an alarming level, prompting the sensitization to address the scourge. She said that 126 of the reported cases were examined over the time frame. Mediation, which includes alternative dispute resolution, reconciliation, and arbitration, was used to settle 26 cases.
The head of NAPTIP further mentioned that out of 126 cases reviewed, 54 were dropped at the complainants' request and the rest were filed with the court.
“Most times when people come to report, and we start (an) investigation, sometimes we file those matters in court and start prosecution, the next thing the woman will write seeking to withdraw the case,” the anti-trafficking chief explained. “Inasmuch as it is their right to decide to withdraw the case, we as an agency become usually very curious to know the reason.”
Ms. Waziri-Azi said, "I tell you that 100% of the time, the reason why women withdraw these cases from the agency is because of societal pressure from family, community leaders, and fear of deprivation."
With 84 cases still pending, NAPTIP's director-general reported that the organization had secured four convictions.
“Majority of these cases, including battery, were reported from Abuja municipal area council. A lot of cases where men hit their wives and push them out of the house, child abuse, we have seen a lot of these around AMAC,” Ms Waziri-Azi said. “Some of them are currently with us at our shelters as we investigate them.”
The NAPTIP director also addressed instances of child abandonment by one or both parents, as well as instances of fathers abandoning their families.
The Iranian prosecutor general has announced the suspension of the country's morality police as the nation's demonstrations enter its third month.
Shortly after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who a morality police unit in Tehran had detained, demonstrations broke out across the country. Amini was accused of violating Iran's strict dress code for women.
Prosecutor General Mohammad Jafar Montazeri was quoted by local media on Saturday as saying that morality police operations are over. Montazeri made these remarks at an event on "outlining the hybrid war during recent riots," which is how Iranian officials describe the alleged foreign influence in the unrest.
Reportedly responding to a query on why the morality police have been disbanded, he remarked, "The morality police 'has no connection with the judiciary and was shut down by the same place that it had been launched from in the past".
Nothing further has been found to confirm that the patrolling troops, whose ostensible duty it was to maintain "moral security" in the community, are no longer doing so. Similarly, Montazeri did not declare the dissolution of the morality police for all time
And there were also no signs that the law enforcing the strict clothing code would be changed.
Previously, the troops might be seen driving around in white and green vans, asking women on the street to correct their headscarves or, if necessary, bringing them to so-called "re-education" centers. However, these vans have not been spotted in Tehran or cities.
According to surveillance footage made public by the authorities, Amini had a stroke while visiting one of these facilities. She was in a coma for three days before passing away at a local hospital.
According to the coroner's report, she died from natural causes, but her loved ones are convinced she was battered to death.
Protests erupted after Amini's death, and her name and image have been widely utilized both inside and outside the country. In acts of defiance and unity, several women have also burned their veils and shaved their heads. The protesters' chant of "Woman, life, freedom" has become an international rallying cry.
The Iranian government claims the United States, Israel, European countries, and Saudi Arabia are behind the ongoing unrest and are using Amini's killing as a "excuse" to attack the country and its institutions.
Authorities in Iran have made it clear they will not budge on the subject of the hijab, which has been mandated since immediately after the Islamic revolution of 1979.
However, they have recently hinted that the implementation of the necessary clothing requirements may be changed, without providing specifics.
Several local officials have made hints at the possibility of utilizing AI or surveillance footage to fine those who they believe are breaking the law. Repeat offenders may have their vehicles seized after receiving warnings and fines for violating the hijab rules.