The Nigeria Governors Forum has agreed to declare a state of emergency on sexual and gender-based violence against women and children.

They also renewed commitment to ensuring that offenders face the full weight of the law .

This was contained in a communique signed by the Chairman of the NGF , Dr . Kayode Fayemi, after the forum’ s 10 th COVID -19 teleconference meeting held on Wednesday.

The communique was issued in Abuja, on Thursday , The PUNCH reports .

Governors agreed to , “ Declare a State of Emergency on Sexual and Gender- based Violence . Governors strongly condemned all forms of violence against women and children and committed to ensuring that offenders face the maximum weight of the law ;

“Call on State Governors that have not already domesticated relevant gender- based protection laws to domesticate the Violence Against Persons ( Prohibition ) Act , the Child Rights Act and the updated Penal Code to increase protection for women and children and ensure speedy investigation and prosecution of perpetrators in addition to creating a sex offenders register in each State to name and shame.”

Source:- Punchng