Health
Prof. Funmi Para-Mallam, a Don at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru near Jos, has advocated sexual education for young boys to curb rape and wife battering in the society.
Para-Mallam, a Professor of Gender and Development Studies at the institute, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Jos.
She expressed worry by the incessant cases of child rape and wife battering, adding that it is important to teach the boys sex education in their formative ages to forestall child rape.
The don added that it was also important to campaign against wife battering or other forms of violence against women.
“Patriarchal entitlement mentality has affected our society; a man through culture, social inclinations and religious teachings is socialised to believe he is entitled to the female’s body at any time he desires.
“There is a need to educate them early at their various homes and schools on sexual relations that even married couples must have deterrent to this menace,’’ she said.
She explained that a woman’s bodily integrity must be respected, adding that the patriarchal entitlement mentality was contradictory to that position.
“The rights of the woman’s body and integrity as specified at the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and under the Universal Human Rights Declaration must be respected.
“Even if a woman is walking naked, no man has the right to rape her but can prosecute her under indecent exposure, there should be no justification for this wickedness,’’ she said.
However, Para-Mallam commended the Plateau Government for gazetting the Gender and Equal Opportunity (GEO) Law in the state.
She said that it implied government was duty bound to protect and promote the rights of women and children in the state.
“It means infringement on the rights of women is judicable and will be curtailed,’’ she said.
The don said sexual discipline must be preached and educated in the society.
She also expressed worry over women who were vulnerable to sexual assault and exploit during communal attacks and in shelter camps for survival purposes.
She said the GEO Law would be successfully implemented with a good structure of competent people who are knowledgeable on gender, development, legal and project management issues, among others.
NAN reports that Plateau is the first state in Northern Nigeria to gazette the GEO law in June.
The gazette was supported by the United Nations Women in partnership with Search for Common Ground, an international body. (NAN)
Jul. 31, 2018 @ 15:45 GMT |
Tags: a Don at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) has advocated sexual Kuru near Jos Prof. Funmi Para-Mallam
