A Non-government organisation, CARE Nigeria has called for the enactment and implementation of laws that will put an end to gender-based violence, GBV.
At an event to commemorate this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, in Abuja Nigeria, the Country Director, of Care Nigeria, Mr Hussaini Abdu said that it is important for state actors to take not just the enactment, but also resourcing implementation of the VAPP Laws seriously.
Mr Abdu called for these laws to also be funded, adding that “when you make a law, laws don’t implement themselves, People have to drive and if we have to drive, we must resource them. And resourcing them requires so many things. One, it even requires building the capacity of our judges to actually understand the details of these laws and the expectations from them”.
He enjoined everyone present at the event to put more effort into ensuring that they address the challenges bedeviling the girl child and keep the promises made.
“For me, it’s important that we take a shift from that and ensure that our words are our bonds and that will connect with our community, with our people by ensuring that we tackle these very important challenges”, he added.
Meanwhile the Deputy Division Chief, Global Programs Unit, US Department of State Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues, krystin Borgognone pledged the United State’s utmost support to the cause of the girl child.
She added that her office is always “promoting women’s peace and security, the importance of women’s economic empowerment and doing everything across the board to prevent and address gender-based violence”.
Also, GBV Lead Adviser, Gender Justice Unit, CARE USA, Joya Banerjee enjoined everyone at the event to break the cycle of GBV by teaching the male child, everyone in the family and community to be nonviolent towards girls.
The event featured submissions by the Help Line Foundation Voice of Girls Parliament led by the Speaker Praise Sam and the Knock 100 Naira a day Charity School on the challenges young girls face and what Nigerian girls demand.
A panel session comprising key State and Non-State Actors also spotlights the implementation of the VAPP Laws in Yobe State, challenges, lessons for states yet to domesticate the VAPP Law and the next steps for effective implementation.
A photo exhibition on the works of CARE Nigeria in Yobe State, North East Nigeria, also highlighted the import of advocacy and volunteerism in the drive to create awareness of dignity and security through the Martawa Zuromaye Project. Dominica Nwabufo
