A gender-based activist, legal practitioner and the wife of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana (SAN), Mrs Funmilayo Falana while speaking in Iyin Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government area of Ekiti State, said the low report of rape cases by the victims and slow process of the wheel of justice is the reason for the increase rate of rape and gender-based violence in Nigeria.

The refusal of the victims to speak out allowed most offenders to escape prosecution, hence people continue to perpetrate the evil act with impunity.

After donating food items and other materials (washing machines, toys etc) to the Erelu Angela Children Home, Mrs Funmi Falana said:

“It is sad that rape and indecent assault in Nigeria is on the increase over the year. Merely opening register for the offender will not solve the problem.”

“The real problem is in the prosecution of the offenders. If offenders are prosecuted and brought to book, it will serve as a deterrent to other would-be offenders.”

“Lagos opened the register for rape offenders three, four years ago Ekiti also opened recently. This has not really made any difference”.

“In the process of prosecution, police are fond of mismanaging the cases. From the time of investigation and prosecution, rape cases are so technical such that before you know it the victim will say I don’t want to pursue the case again.”

“Of a fact, many victims refuse to speak out because of the stigma attached to rape and that is the reason why the people continue to perpetrate the evil act. Only few cases get prosecuted because most of the cases are not reported.”

“Government should be more responsive to the citizenry in making life better for them. Though, throwing babies away should not be an option for any mother who is facing economic challenges.”

“Section 2 of the country’s constitution stipulates that; government should provide for socioeconomic needs of its people, medical care, good roads even education.”

So, “Governments must be responsive enough to provide for socio-economic needs of the people.”

“If the government put in place social security for the people, there will be an assurance that will have something to take care of themselves and the children, so there won’t be any basis to throw away their children”.

Welfare of the people should be the priority of the Government to stop dumping and abandonment of babies on the streets by their mothers, Mrs Falana advised.

The Deputy Director, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Director, Nathaniel Adeniran commended Mrs Funmilayo Falana for her gesture on behalf of the Ministry and the Ekiti State Government.