Men who are convicted of rape in Nigeria will face castration under a new law that passed earlier this week.
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According to the New York Post, the castration law was passed in Kaduna state and child rapists will also face the death penalty. The new law states that convicted male rapists will be subjected to surgical castration whereas female child rapists will have their fallopian tubes removed. Along with the procedure, rapists who sexually assaulted an adult will be sentenced to life in prison.
Before the new law was passed, the sentence for the rape of an adult was at a maximum of 21 years, and a life sentence for the rape of a child. Gov. Nasir Ahmad-el Rufai said the new laws were passed to help protect children.
“[These] drastic penalties are required to help further protect children from serious crime.”
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Data showed there were about 800 cases of sexual assault and violence in Nigeria during the lockdown between January and May, leading to public outrage amongst women’s rights groups for stricter sentences and convictions.