The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said men and women exchanged sex for food during the coronavirus-induced lockdown.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja at the launch of its 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, CAN President Samson Ayokunle urged President Muhammadu Buhari to prioritise investment in food production to reduce hunger and fast-track economic wellbeing of the people, especially women and girls.
According to him, rather than pay lip service to women emancipation, the government should focus on practical means to address their economic and social needs in safe spaces free of violence and abuse.
Ayokunle said, “Economic challenges during the COVID-19 outbreak posed a serious threat to young women’s work and business activity and exposed them to increased risk of exploitation and abuse.
“We observed that higher levels of food insecurity and hunger led women and men to exchange food for sex. So, we urge the government to do more to reduce hunger in the land, which will help to fight gender-based violence in Nigeria.”
