Nigeria is taking steps to revise its criminal code to recognise that both males and females can be victims of rape.

This week, a bill seeking to remove gender restrictions on rape cases passed a second reading in the African nation's senate.

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The county's criminal code currently says rape is a sexual act committed against "a woman or girl", in the certain circumstances including, "without her consent", "if the consent is obtained by force" or "in the case of a married woman, by impersonating her husband".

The bill to amend the code has been sponsored by Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

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"The Criminal Code Act defines rape ... as an offence against women. However, times indicate that there are incidents of non-consensual sex perpetrated against the male gender," Ms Tinubu said, according to Nigerian outlet Premium Times.

"This definition is particularly grievous because it perpetuates the socio-cultural belief that men do not need to consent to sexual acts. In addition, we must ensure that our laws and jurisprudence evolve with the rest of the world."

The changes are part of wider reform around rape, including removing a two-month statute of limitation which applies in certain cases.

The senate's Twitter account recorded reactions from different politicians.

Senator Bala Na'allah said, "the issue of rape has been a very difficult provision in our statue and dates back to the English law".

“The issue of rape has been a very difficult provision in our statue and dates back to the English Law.”- Senator Bala Na’allah. — The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) November 26, 2019

And Senator Emmanuel Bwacha said, "I think this is a bold step in the right direction. I think this is quite commendable".

“I think this is a bold step in the right direction. I think this is quite commendable.”- Senator Emmanuel Bwacha. — The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) November 26, 2019

The bill passed the second reading and was referred to the country's Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.

Another local outlet, the Cable announced the news under the headline "Men Too".

Material from Nigerian NGO Stand To End Rape called the legal language used in the criminal code "archaic".

"Although it is safe to say that women are outstandingly the larger victims/survivors of rape, men cannot simply be unfairly ruled out of having a cause of action when they are victims of rape," it says.

"What good is a law that continues to exempt the other half of the population?"

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The prevalence of rape is difficult to measure in the African nation due to pervasive stigmas, especially among men.

According to UNICEF, "one in four girls and 10 per cent of boys have been victims of sexual violence" in Nigeria.

"Abuse in all its forms are a daily reality for many Nigerian children and only a fraction ever receive help," material from the groups says.

And according to UN Women, one in 10 women in the country have experienced physical or sexual violence at the hands of an intimate partner in the last 12 months.

UN figures from 2016 said that "a total of 62 countries still provide no legal protection for male rape victims".

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, family or domestic violence in Australia, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.

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