By Kingsley Adegboye
A Lagos-based non-governmental organisation, the Cosmopolitan Women Club, CWC, of Lagos has advocated a robust security sector reform for prevention and quick response to violence against women, children and vulnerable groups.

People displaced from their homes and communities, following attacks by Islamist group Boko Haram, wait at an internally-displaced persons (IDP) camp in Maiduguri in Borno State, on August 3, 2015. Nigeria’s military said August 3 it had “besieged” Boko Haram positions in the Islamist militant group’s northeastern heartland after setting free 178 hostages, mainly women and children. The ongoing operation has led to the capture of a Boko Haram commander, according to the army, while a “large number” of the extremists have been killed in air strikes. AFP PHOTO

The group equally demanded a framework to reduce existing inequalities, address entrenched structural discrimination, and realize the social and economic rights of the   weak, especially women and children.

A communiqué issued at the end of a one-day seminar on ‘’Societal Insecurity: Women, Children and Vulnerable Groups” in Lagos reiterated the need for civil society organisations to continue to advocate the domestication of violence against women law in different parts of the country.

The organisation said it recognised the need to work with religious and traditional leaders to identify the cultural and religious practices that influence societal insecurity for women, children and vulnerable groups.

The body said it was prepared to eliminate such practices and work with the positive core values and practices of respective cultures and religions.

‘’We ask that government recognise the importance of identifying, prohibiting and dismantling discriminatory practices and implement necessary strategies, policies and action plans which may include temporary special measures to accelerate the achievement of societal security for women, children and vulnerable persons.

‘’We call on the government to close social security gaps and progressively achieve universal protection through the establishment and maintenance of comprehensive social security systems”.

Signed by President, Mrs. Deorike Durisinmi-Etti and Chairman, Organising Committee Ms. Yemisi Ransome-Kuti, CWC expressed sadness that women and children experience insecurity differently, adding that domestic violence, rape, sexual exploitation and trafficking remains a reality for countless women.”

“We recognise that insecurity is manifested in various forms in different parts of the country, in the Southern part of the country issues of armed robbery and kidnapping while in the Northern part cross-border bandits, militias and insurgency”, the body explained further.

While re-affirming that the role of government was to protect lives and properties, the organisation urged government at all levels to continue to fulfil its role by ensuring that laws are implemented in ways that encourage justice, equity and fairness.