The national platform of Women in Humanitarian Response in Nigeria Initiative (WiHRiNI) is greatly saddened by the loss of another daughter in Nigeria, Aisha Umar, to gender based violence.
We strongly condemn the rape and eventual death of late Aisha Umar, an internally displaced person by a humanitarian worker and staff of an INGO in Borno State. This dastardly act violates all human rights laws, humanitarian principles and code of conduct for humanitarian/Aid workers, irrespective of creed, ideology, ethnicity or nationality.
This conduct is a great betrayal of trust of the v
ulnerable people we serve, our colleagues who put themselves in harm’s way in service of others, as well as those who paid the supreme price with their lives, in the line of duty. It mars the giant strides achieved by humanitarian actors in Borno State and puts at risk, the credibility and lives of many innocent hardworking humanitarian workers in Northeast Nigeria.
We request for the full weight of the law to be brought to bear on this case, after a thorough investigation of the incident. We demand justice for Aisha Umar.
WiHRiNI calls on all humanitarian organizations to institute measures to guard against the perpetuation of sexual abuse and exploitation and other criminal actions, by its staff and agents, especially against vulnerable persons. Perpetrators of sexual abuse and exploitation in Nigeria should not be condoned or protected, but must be brought to book and justice served.
We advocate for zero tolerance against sexual exploitation and abuse, gender based violence and inaction against it by NGO leadership.
Signed: On behalf of Women in Humanitarian Response in Nigeria Initiative (WiHRiNI):
Mimidoo Achakpa Nkese Udongwo
Chairperson Secretary
