By TAYE OBATERU

Jos—The Plateau State Chapter of International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, has made an appeal to legislatures in the country to make laws to criminalize domestic violence against women.

In a statement to commemorate activism against gender violence, the body also wants the Child Rights Act passed into law by states yet to do so while government should ratify and domesticate international treaties and conventions prohibiting violence against women.

The statement signed by the Branch Chairperson, Mrs. Ladi Madaki regretted that domestic and other forms of violence against women and girls had continued necessitating special measures to protect them.

”FIDA Plateau State Branch which aims to promote the welfare of women and children as well as defend their rights under the Nigerian constitution joins other organizations and people all over Nigeria in particular and the world in general to mark this great campaign by advocating for the promotion of women’s rights to peace and freedom from violence.

”This has become imperative because violence against women and girls is the most pervasive human rights violation as statistics indicate that up to seven in ten women experience violence in their lifetime. This is therefore a call for national commitment to address and prevent violence against women and girls. Putting an end to violence against women and girls is everyone’s responsibility”, it said.

The body described domestic violence as a universal phenomenon occurring adding, “it is therefore, no longer in question whether or not domestic violence exists at worrisome dimension with impact on human rights and development or if it can be justified by any social or cultural reasons.”