"90% of female prisoners in Nigeria are pregnant or nursing mothers -NCWS

90% of female prisoners in the country were either pregnant or nursing mothers, said the National Council of Women's Society (NCWS). The society’s president, Mrs. Gloria Shoda, disclosed this on Tuesday, December 13th, during the inauguration of new executives in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

While appealing to the Federal Government to formulate policies to protect female prisoners, Mrs Shoda urged the National Human Rights Commission to intervene to stop all forms of discrimination against female prisoners who are awaiting trial. According to her, assisting women with the relevant skills could help in building a better society.

"It is only when women are considered as the center of development that the economy could be better developed. We urge government to integrate gender into its developmental agenda by including them in public policy and governance. Women and girls are facing so many unpleasant challenges in the country. Everyday, the newspapers report incidents of violence against them even in the internally displaced persons camps."

She urged them to embrace the nationwide slogan of “change begins with me,” to support one another.

Source: The Guardian