Ebonyi: Organization, Journalists partner to end Gender Based Violence

The Women’s Rights and Health Organization WRAHP has partnered with Journalists in Ebonyi State Southeast Nigeria, to work towards ending Sexual and Gender Based Violence SGBV.

The WRAHP Program Manager, Mr Francis Umah who disclosed this in Abakaliki, the State capital explained that the partnership aims to effectively document reported SGBV cases in the State

“Globally, it is estimated that 1 in 3 women experience either physical or sexual abuse in their lifetime. These figures are mirrored in Nigeria, with 30% of girls and women aged between 15 and 49 reported to have experienced sexual abuse alone. Nearly 3 in 10 Nigerian women have experienced physical violence by age 15.  According to the United Nations, 11, 200 Nigerian women and girls were raped in 2020

“As part of efforts to address this challenge, WRAHP with support of Open Society Foundation (OSJ) implemented a 21 months project on “Enhancing Gender equality and Protection from Gender Based Violence for Women and Young Girls in Ebonyi State.”

He explained that the initiative would improve the protection from SGBV for women and young girls through the Violence Against Persons Prohibition VAPP Law in Ebonyi State,” adding that; “Specific objectives were to:  increase awareness of the provisions of the VAPP Law among 5000 community members in 2 LGAs in Ebonyi State; and to strengthen reporting pathways for survivors of SGBV through mandated reporters in 2 LGAs in Ebonyi State

“A crop of 38 committed community SGBV advocates raised in Ebonyi State, who are engaged in community sensitization sessions on VAPP law and working to protect women and girls from SGBV. 

“Availability of the Simplified edition of the Ebonyi State VAPP Law to members of the community, both adults and young people.  5,000 copies produced and distributed using multiple community channels. 

“Increased understanding on the provisions of the Ebonyi State VAPP Law and other SGBV related issues among 14,877 (5,334 males and 9,543 females) community members, both adults and young people. 

“Networking and partnership for effective and comprehensive SGBV response in Ebonyi State with key State and Non-State Actors such as (the State Police Command, Ministry of Justice, Ebonyi State GBV Task Force, National Human Rights Commission, NAPTIP, International Federation of Women Lawyers, Child Protection Network, the media.“

Some recommendations highlighted to effectively address violence against women and girls in Ebonyi State were:

“Establishing Sexual Assault Referral Centers (SARCs) to provide psychosocial, legal, and medical support for survivors of SGBV in Ebonyi state. Creating and strengthening coordinated GBV response structures at the local government and community levels. Provision of hotlines for ease of reporting of cases of violence against women and girls. “Increasing capacity building opportunities by way of trainings and retraining to equip agencies and ministries tasked with the duty of implementing these laws, and the members of the judiciary with necessary skills. Provision of necessary logistics to the Police to respond promptly to reported cases and ensure speedy dispensation of justice. Set up monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure the funds are used for the purpose they were given. 

“Setting up shelters for abused women to provide temporary safe place for women and girls running from abusive environments and to protect survivors from allies of perpetrator/ and or perpetrators whose cases are currently in courts. Providing economic empowerment for adult survivors of GBV and scholarship program for children who are out of school because of abuses among others.”

PIAK