By Eberechi Obinagwam
Founder, Platform Capital, Akintoye Akindele, has disclosed that during the Lockdown of Covid 19, Lagos, where the Corona Virus impacted the most people in Nigeria, recorded a 50 per cent increase in domestic and sexual violence reported cases.
Akintoye, who disclosed the figure in a conference on Tuesday, at the launch of Heart Initiative, in Lagos said that the Minster for Women’s Affairs and Social Development, Pauline Tallen, reported that there were 3,600 rape cases recorded during the lockdown.
Overall, she said according to United Nations, (UN), there are approximately 2.58 million women in Nigeria in need of protection from gender based violence (GBV).
Furthermore, Akintoye stated that during the lockdown, GBV has increased by 20% worldwide, adding that as Covid-19 ravages economies and societies across the world, women who are forced to stay home with their abusive partners suffer.
He stated that the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) predicted that an estimated 15 million cases of intimate partner violence could occur within 6 months of the lockdown.
To this end, Platform Capital and Diatom Impact launched a Heart Intiative against the backdrop of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, (GBV), an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls.,
According to the founder, Platform Capital, Akintoye, said the fund provides victims of gender -based violence with the support they need to transition into independence, a live stream where a victim can talk to when abused.
“Violence in relationships is a sign of a broken society and this must be rooted out at all costs. To help propagate this, Platform Capital and Diatom Impact are announcing the Heart Initiative, a fund that was set up to help victims of domestic violence transit and rebuild their lives,” he said.
He added that the Initiative is an extension of Olamide Alli Trust Fund set up by AGS Tribe, who was brutally murdered by her fiancé, living behind, two sons, aged three, and seven.
“Platform Capital Group donated N5 million to the Trust Fund which will ensure that her children remain in school up to the tertiary level. In the spirit of Olamide Alli Trust Fund, we have committed N100 million to provide more support to women experiencing domestic violence and sexual abuse.
“The Funds are used to offset major costs that would otherwise have forced the abused into depending on her abuser for financial support, including rent, children’s tuition, and emergency services.
“Additionally, women on dire need will receive a stipend for up to six months to cover food and transportation. The Heart Initiative aims to work with beneficiaries towards absolute freedom from physical, sexual and emotional abuse and exploitation,” he stated.
Also, director of Impact and Research, Anna Bethune, said: “We know why women who have been abused in their relationships choose to stay. In many cases, it is because they do not feel economically empowered to leave. Despite the psychological and emotional trauma of what they have experienced, they need to ensure that they and their children can eat and have shelter. The Heart Initiative exists to give them back that choice.”