Nigeria's Women Affair's minister on Thursday called on the lawmakers to consider imposing the death penalty on convicted rapists.
Rape had reached an alarming level, with seven to 10 cases reported weekly in Nigeria, Zainab Maina said.
Reports say poor communities are worst affected by rape and there are few successful prosecutions. The death penalty exists in Nigeria for crimes such as murder, but it is rarely implemented.
Maina said her ministry was determined to tackle rape. "It is also trying to make the police set up a gender desk in every police station to handle such cases so that serious punishment, perhaps death sentence would be handed to culprits," she is quoted by Nigeria's This Day newspaper as saying.
Many people are scared to
disclose they have been raped, either because they will not be believed or
because of the difficulty in proving cases in court, he says.
In the few cases where there are convictions, rapists are fined or sentenced to a few months in prison, our reporter adds.
In recent years there have also been some prosecutions of men accused of raping children from poor communities.
While Mrs Maina's attempt to focus on the problem will be welcomed by civil society groups, it is too early to say whether the rape laws will be overhauled, our correspondent says.
Say “NO” To Rape and
Sexual Violence – Walk Against Rape NigeriaIn the few cases where there are convictions, rapists are fined or sentenced to a few months in prison, our reporter adds.
In recent years there have also been some prosecutions of men accused of raping children from poor communities.
While Mrs Maina's attempt to focus on the problem will be welcomed by civil society groups, it is too early to say whether the rape laws will be overhauled, our correspondent says.
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