The wife of Abia state governor, Mrs Priscilia Otti has identified funding, lack of infrastructural and other deficits as part of the challenges facing the fight against based violence in the society.
Mrs Otti stated this during a training put together by a non-governmental organisation, Vision Spring Initiatives in partnership with the office of the wife of the Governor Abia state for law enforcement officers towards a more coordinated approach to responding to sexual violence in Abia State held at Police officers mess Umuahia.
The event was also organised in collaboration with Abia State ministry of women affairs, ministry of poverty alleviation and social protection, as well as Abia state Orientation Agency.
Mrs Otti who spoke virtually commended the Nigeria police for dedicating themselves to keep others self.
She emphasized that GBV is a human rights violation that destroys life, fractures families, and threatened the fabrics of the community, which is a societal issue that demands a united strategic and well equipped response.
The first lady said part of their resolve in Abia State was to sustain collaboration, just as she announced two key steps to achieve the collaboration. Firstly, set to formally inaugurate a functional GBV response team designed to swiftly and effectively address cases of violence against women and girls.
Along side this, Mrs Otti said they have established GBV management committee to include the commissioner for women affairs, attorney general and commissioner for justice and will drive coordination and policy direction in this critical area.
Secondly, she said the state government is meeting to provide dedicating funding for the activities of GBV quick response team paticularlly the police as first respondent, support for logistics, combined rescue operation, investigation, and prosecution.
Mrs Otti said that justice must not be hindered by lack of resources.
In his goodwill message, CP Danladi Isa represented by DCP Hayatu Shaffer in charge of state criminal investigative department, Abia state police command, said the police is commited in combating all forms of violence.
CP Isa said their collaboration with the convener of the program and Mrs Priscilia Otti has brought notable resuls in improving police response and enhancing justice delivery.
In her goodwill message, Abia state commissioner for women affairs, Mrs Maureen Aghukwa represented by Onwuka Felicia, said the establishment of a one-stop shop for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence is a critical need, and they are committed to working together to make this a reality.
She announced that regarding the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) under the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Il Programme. The SARC, located at the Aba General Hospital, is nearing completion, with commissioning anticipated by July. According to her, this center will be a game-changer in providing comprehensive care and support to survivors.
She also recognized the crucial role of law enforcement officers in protecting women and girls, while they are pleased to see this training aimed at strengthening their capacities.
Mrs Maureen Aghukwa said the Ministry recognizes that violence against women and girls is not merely a social problem but a fundamental violation of human rights and a significant impediment to all collective progress.
She states that ending this violence requires concerted efforts, involving government agencies, civil society organizations, law enforcement, and the society at large.
“We are particularly impressed with Vision Spring Initiatives’ planned implementation of a survivor-centered approach to addressing sexual and gender-based violence. This approach, which prioritizes the needs and rights of survivors, is essential for creating a safe and supportive environment that encourages healing and justice. This initiative perfectly aligns with the Ministry’s core mandate of protecting vulnerable populations and ensuring social justice for all citizens of Abia State”.
Also in her goodwill message, the commissioner for poverty alleviation and social protection, Mrs Ngozi Felix represented by her technical assistance Mr Obinna Uzuegbu, said they are particularly impressed with Vision Spring Initiatives’ planned implementation of a survivor-centered approach to addressing sexual and gender-based violence. This approach, which prioritizes the needs and rights of survivors, is essential for creating a safe and supportive environment that encourages healing and justice. He said this initiative perfectly aligns with the Ministry’s core mandate of protecting vulnerable populations and ensuring social justice for all citizens of Abia State.
According to her, the Ministry recognizes that violence against women and girls is not merely a social problem but a fundamental violation of human rights and a significant impediment to our collective progress. Ending this violence requires concerted efforts, involving government agencies, civil society organizations, law enforcement, and the society at large.
She said “We also recognize the crucial role of law enforcement officers in protecting women and girls, and we are pleased to see this training aimed at strengthening their capacities”.
Aghaukwa maintained that the establishment of a one-stop shop for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence is a critical need, and we are committed to working together to make this a reality.
She also said they are happy to share some exciting news regarding the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) under the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) II Programme.
The SARC, located at the Aba General Hospital, is nearing completion, with commissioning anticipated by July. This center will be a game-changer in providing comprehensive care and support to survivors”.
The executive director of Vision Spring Initiatives, Mrs Ngozi Nwosu Juba listed the causes of sexual and gender based violence to include poverty leading to early marriage, breaking of services including law and order, conflict and war, displacent, stress at home and unequal power relations.
Mrs Juba also advocates for help line for gender based violence cases and noted that there is no functional shelter that Abia state is yet to establish a sexual assault referral centre, although some efforts are ongoing, adding channel of reporting should be made stress fress.
She pointed out that there is SKILLS gap and the rrsponses team members require trainings and re-training to be up to speed. She observed that there is also funding gap as week as infrastructural deficits example reasonable strategies and structures to adequately support persons with disabilities who may suffer GBV in Abia State etc.
She advocates for a well coordinated Abia state domestic and sexual response unit that will trenslate into an agency with full funding for the stakeholders.
