NHRC says 90 percent of women awaiting trial are nursing mothers or pregnant

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has observed that 90 per cent of women awaiting trial in prisons across the country are either pregnant or nursing mothers or pregnant, pointing out that there was no amount of compensation that would be given to such a child or even the mother that can make up for the hardship endured.

The Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, who made this known yesterday when he received the National President, National Council of Women Societies, Mrs. Gloria Shoda, in his office in Abuja, disclosed that the percentage was derived from the commission’s recent prison audit in the country.

The Director of Directorate of Citizens Rights, DCR, Omotilewa Ibirogba, had some time ago stated that nine pregnant women and eight babies  are among 222 inmates inside the high walls of the female section of Kirikiri prisons.

Angwe pointed out that the commission needed the collaboration of the NCWS to provide an immediate intervention in this regard.

According to him, “In our prisons today, we have a lot of nursing mothers who are being locked up with their children and are nursing these children in the prison cells.

“We also have instances where such women who are still carrying babies in prison are also pregnant.

“It is also sad to note that more than 90 per cent of these nursing mothers are still awaiting trial. These are women that should have been released on bail while awaiting their trial.

“But they are kept there in prison with their children who are made to serve prison terms when their mothers are not yet convicted,’’ he added.

Stating that there was no amount of compensation that would be given to such a child or even the mother in such a condition, the NHRC stated, “One therefore wonders how in a situation where such mothers are eventually discharged as innocent citizens, how much compensation can be given to a child who is made to pass through the conditions that we presently have in our prisons.’’

He further noted that in spite of several campaigns both internationally and nationally to end discrimination against women, it still existed in form of cultural practices.

“We must recognise the fact that in spite of the huge campaign toward eliminating all kinds of discrimination against women, we still have in existence some form of discriminatory acts against women.

“Many of these acts are hidden under what we call culture and this has contributed largely to the huge number of cases we receive that represent the violation of the rights of all women.”

Angwe advised the NCWS executives not to allow politicians to use the association to score cheap political points, stating that “The society which comprises of over 80 million women should not be used for political purposes.

“The NHRC will not stand back and watch the leadership of the NCWS follow politicians during campaigns because you are supposed to be neutral.’’

Speaking earlier, the NCWS president had said that they were at the commission in light of an MoU the association signed with the NHRC on the protection of the rights of women, youths and children in June.

She said the visit was specifically to evolve the best ways to execute the MoU, particularly with regards to issues of gender-based violence and the Child Rights Act.

Shoda gave the assurance that the association would work with the commission to promote the rights of women, youths and children, particularly sensitisation campaigns.