Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Anambra State has taken a significant steps towards combating gender-based violence (GBV) with the successful conclusion of the Anambra Unite Conference 2024.
Held on Wednesday December 4, 2024, the conference brought together stakeholders from various sectors to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Participants included 16 traditional rulers, commissioners, representatives of government ministries, departments, and agencies, security, town union leaders, women leaders, youth leaders, civil society organisations, persons with disabilities, and the media.
The conference, organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and the VAPP Law Implementation Committee with theme: “Towards a Beijing +30: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” emphasised the need for collective action to eliminate GBV in Anambra.
The event, also a programme of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption, RoLAC, supported by the European Union and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IIDEA) in Nigeria, also reiterated the urgent need for collective action, robust institutional support, and widespread community involvement to eliminate GBV in the State.
Delivering a keynote, Mrs. Josephine Onah, RoLAC Anambra Programme Coordinator, emphasised the importance of collaboration among agencies to combat gender-based violence. She stressed that a multi-agency approach is essential in providing comprehensive services to survivors.
Onah also highlighted the need to dispense with inter-agency rivalry, which can hinder progress, and instead focus on a coordinated response that prioritises the needs of the survivors.
Additionally, she noted that interagency protocols and memoranda of understanding can help define roles and responsibilities, facilitating effective collaboration towards curbing GBV.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, urged the public to abandon the pervasive “it is not my business” mentality, emphasising that collective progress in the fight against GBV requires a united front.
Traditional Rulers represented by the traditional ruler of Ifitedunu, Dr Emeka Ilouno, echoed and expressed deep concern over the prevalence of gender-based violence in communities and pledged their full support in tackling the menace.
“We traditional rulers are worried by this disturbing trend. We know it’s not unconnected to the hardship in the country, especially among youths who are into drugs, mkpụrụmili.
“Time of neglect of women is over. Men must give women their rights of place. Self control is key during provocation.”
State Commander, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Anambra State Command, Mrs. Ibadin Judith Chukwu, pledged availability of her agency in supporting the fight against violence against women and girl-child.
She however urged victims of violence to break the culture of silence, insisting that, “It’s not over until this menace is fought to a standstill.”
In a communique raised at the conference and signed by the stakeholders representing different groups, participants resolved to produce and disseminate simplified versions of the Child Rights Act and Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law to enhance public understanding of GBV laws and encourage more victims to seek justice.
Participants also agreed on the need for donor and philanthropic support to facilitate effective GBV sensitisation campaigns across the state. They viewed the support as crucial in raising awareness about GBV and promoting a culture of zero tolerance in the state.
They highlighted the need for improved access to justice for GBV survivors and resolved that the judiciary should ensure that cases of survivors of GBV are expeditiously heard and judgments delivered to provide survivors with the justice they deserve and serve as a deterrent to potential perpetrators.
In the other resolutions, participants urged the Ministry of Women Affairs to lead civil society organisations (CSOs) and other relevant partners to advocate for the establishment of a dedicated VAPP Commission, noting that the creation would drive the effective implementation of GBV laws and provide a coordinated response to GBV cases.
Recognising the critical role of traditional leaders, participants urged traditional rulers to allow survivors to report GBV cases directly to the police instead of handling them within local councils. According to them, the strategy would ensure that GBV cases are handled in a fair and transparent manner.
They called on the Ministry of Women Affairs to engage with other partners to drive the establishment of shelters to protect GBV survivors and prevent further victimisation.
