Group launches Gender Based Violence sensitisation programme

The Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), a police advocacy group, says it has developed a nationwide sensitisation programme to tackle the negative tide of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) against women. The National Coordinator of POCACOV, CSP Ebere Amaraizu, disclosed this in an interview with Newsmen in Enugu on Tuesday.

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Amaraizu said the quest for sustained campaign on violence against women prompted a nationwide sensitisation by  POCACOV tagged #whereourwomen.

He said that the sensitisation would serve as a platform for raising awareness on the potential of women, as he called for partnership and community participation.

According to him, violence against women must be addressed using four Ps. The first, Prevention which has to do with raising awareness, Professional development, addressing vulnerabilities and hotlines for victims.

“Another one is Protection, which has to do with victim-centered identification, comprehensive services, funding for services and removal of illegal barriers. The third one is Prosecution, dwelling on the creation of adequate criminal laws, vigorous investigations and diligent prosecution. The last one is Partnership, dwelling on multi-disciplinary crossing sector networks, coalitions and task offices, diversity and inclusion and survivor leadership.”

The POCACOV national coordinator said that in spite of protocols and treaties on womens’ rights and protection, and efforts by government and Non-Government Organisations and faith-based groups, violence against women still pervades in many communities.

He said such happenings cause emotional trauma and challenges which may not be healthy for women to thrive. He added that at work places, women are made to pass through some conditions which affect their emotions and threaten their cognitive, affective and psychomotor abilities.

“Incidences of sexual harassment, threat and intimidations aimed at making women succumb to whims and caprices of negative tendencies have continued to occur. A lot of women have had several injuries and ill treatments from husband’s and husband’s relations in case of the death of the husband, among other harmful practices meted out on women. Many women are maltreated and punished with no resistance in spite of our level of civilisation. Women in conflict areas face untold hardships and sexual exploitations, among others.”

NAN/Wumi