#DapchiGirls: SERAP to FG: Prioritise medical needs of released girls
*Dapchi school girls
(Nigeria) Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP,
has urged the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari to “prioritise the
well-being of the released Dapchi girls by immediately providing them with
adequate medical and mental health services. These include post-rape care and
psychosocial support for those who have survived abduction by the Boko Haram
terrorist group.”
The organisation also “urges the authorities to urgently
establish a judicial commission of inquiry to conduct a thorough, impartial and
effective investigation into allegations of complicity against some members of
the military and security forces in the abduction of the girls. Such commission
should be completely independent, and have the mandate to find out exactly what
transpired, and identify suspected perpetrators.
“The report and findings of the commission should be made
public, and handed over to a judicial authority to pursue possible
prosecutions. This is the surest way to end the constant abductions of our
girls.”
The Nigerian government today announced the release of 101
Dapchi girls from the captivity by Boko Haram.
In a statement by SERAP Deputy Director, Timothy Adewale the
organisation said, “We welcome the news that many of the girls have now been
released. But these girls should not have been abducted in the first place.
It’s now absolutely important for Buhari to implement plans to make schools
safer for students in the northeast of the country, if his government is to put
a stop to constant abductions of Nigerian girls.
“Never again should Nigerian girls be abducted from their
schools. The fact remains that the authorities have failed dismally to protect
the girls and Nigerians deserve some answers as to what the government is doing
to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.
“When girls leave school, their futures can be irreparably
harmed. Protecting our schools against any attacks would align Nigeria with the
growing global consensus that schools must be safe places, even during armed
conflict. Constant attacks on our schools would undermine the government’s
commitment to get more children, especially girls, into school – free from
discrimination, in a safe environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive.
“Attacks on schools not only have impact on the lives of the
girls and communities who are directly concerned, they also send a signal to
parents and guardians that schools are not safe places for girls. Providing a
safe school environment is crucial to making girls remain in school.
“Education is a powerful tool to ensure that women are aware
of their rights and know how to claim them. It gives women more negotiating
power in all aspects of their life. It can protect women from harmful practices
and other forms of violence. Education is also crucial for women’s
participation in economic, social and political life and necessary to break the
cycle of discrimination and exclusion.”
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