By Divine Sam
In an interview with Daily Post Nigeria, Professor Joy Ezeilo, a former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Trafficking and Executive Director of Women Aid Collective (WACOL), expressed deep concern about the state of justice and human rights in Nigeria.
She criticized the lack of accountability in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests, noting that despite the judicial recommendations, there has been little improvement in police brutality and the rule of law. Ezeilo emphasized that access to justice remains a significant challenge, especially for the poor and vulnerable, and that Nigeria ranks poorly in global rule of law indices.
She also discussed the escalating issue of gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria, calling it an epidemic. With alarming statistics, such as one woman being killed every 10 minutes globally due to GBV, Ezeilo highlighted the pervasive nature of violence against women and girls in Nigeria. She pointed to issues like rape, child abuse, and forced marriages, as well as the societal stigma that prevents many victims from seeking justice.
Corruption within the justice system, particularly in the police force, further compounds the problem. Ezeilo criticized the failure to effectively implement laws like the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, stressing that despite having laws in place, enforcement remains weak. She suggested that greater focus on prevention, awareness campaigns, and swift justice is essential to combat the growing crisis of GBV in Nigeria.
As the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence comes to a close, Ezeilo called for collective action and strategic investment in addressing the root causes of GBV and ensuring justice for victims.
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