enforcement agencies and provide effective mechanisms for victims of human rights violations by law enforcement officers to lodge complaints; Steps already taken include the establishment of Human Rights and Gender Desks in Police stations and in all Ministries and Departments/Agencies (MDAs) though operational in very few MDAs, the NHRC is equally intensifying efforts at zonal levels. In 2016, efforts have been made by relevant stakeholders to ensure the establishment of Human Rights Desk in the Military Defence HQs. 112. Ensure that the relevant authorities make use of Already part of the Police Training Manual on the Commission’s Guidelines on Conditions of Arrest, Human Rights at the Police Academies/Colleges Police Custody and Pre-Trial Detention, while providing training to the Police, and while adopting laws and policies; 111. Take steps to establish independent policing oversight institutions/mechanisms to which civilians may be free to report police misconduct and abuse of power; 113. Raise the awareness of the population about Both the NHRC and CSOs working on various their rights, legal procedures and available remedies; aspects of human rights have intensified efforts at state and local government levels. 114. Strengthen and effectively implement measures This effort is ongoing and yielding results as to combat corruption and severely punish corrupt revealed in this Report under chapter 19 item (5) on personnel in every section of Government; EFCC combating corruption in Nigeria. Protection of the rights of women and children 115. Enact a legislative framework that provides for The Gender Equality Opportunities Bill 2016, is affirmative action for women including the stipulation receiving legislative attention and is a step in the of specific female representation quotas in decision- right direction. making positions, to increase women’s representation; 116. Build operational and institutional capacities to The first step taken was the presidential assent to combat violence against women and children and the Bill now an Act on the Prohibition of Violence provide support to victims of violence; Against Persons, 2015. 117. Urgently strengthen ongoing initiatives to reduce Initiatives taken in this regard are shown in this the high rate of maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria Report under chapter 14 on health. including by eliminating all barriers to maternal health services in the country, increasing budgetary allocation to the health sector in line with the Abuja Declaration, and promoting human rights-based private-sector investment in the health sector; 118. Revise its law on abortion, to bring it in line with The Nigerian Law Reform Commission is working the Maputo Protocol and international human rights on the reform of the law on rape and abortion. The National Demographic Health Survey, 2013 shows 16