Hanan Buhari, daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari, has joined her mother and sister in establishing a foundation.
The Hanan Buhari Foundation was inaugurated on Friday evening at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villla, Abuja.
Hanan decried what she described as low reportage of rape, sexual and gender-based violence cases in the country.
The event had in attendance top government dignitaries, traditional rulers, among others.
Hanan said that Nigeria’s rape culture had been in existence and tolerated for decades and it was time to speak out for the emancipation of women’s rights.
She added that the offence which had always been shrouded in secrecy due to ingrained patriarchal sex stereotypes, structural and systemic oppression women face, among others, must be stopped.
“Report revealed that the rape incidences for women and girls is on an increasing trend from 63 per cent in 2015 to 72.1 per cent in 2016 and 69.3 per cent in 2017.
“In spite of increase in activism, cases of rape are still grossly underreported.
“According to data from Nigeria’s National Anti-Trafficking Agency, only 32 cases were reported between 2019 and 2020 for fear of stigmatisation.
“Undoubtedly, we need to rise up and break this culture of silence, especially now that more women are beginning to have courage to speak out about their victimisation.
“Women and children’s right to live free from violence is dependent on the protection of their human rights and a strong chain of justice.
“In spite of acts such as Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) 2015 and various states’ Violence Against Persons Prohibition Laws in Nigeria, which are all aimed at addressing issues of rape and other forms of sexual violence, enforcement of its laws is still sorely lacking in far too many cases,” she added.
Secretary to the government of the federation Boss Mustapha, who commended the foundation for coming up with the initiative, added that it was important for victims of rape to speak out.
Hanan’s mother Aisha Buhari founded Aisha Buhari Foundation while Zahra founded Zahra Muhammadu-Buhari Homes aka ZMB Homes.
