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From Isaac Job, Uyo
Akwa Ibom women have advocated for establishment of special courts and training of special judges to handle gender based violence cases in the State.
The advocacy was contained in a 10- point communique issued weekend at the end of a 2-Day workshop on the theme ” Promoting the Culture of Zero Tolerance For Violence Against Women ” organized by Women United for Economic Empowerment (WUEE), at EMMJM Hotels and Suites, Uyo, for representatives of 20 women groups from Ikot Ekpene and Oron local government areas respectively.
The workshop funded by Urgent Action Fund -Africa was attended by Women comprising mostly survivors of Gender Base Violence drawn from 20 women groups in the two council areas agreed that if the two issues are considered by the State government, there would be quick access to justice by survivors as cases of GBV will be given special treatment and speedy judgement.
While narrating their different ordeals and efforts in accessing justice, the women decried delays in getting justice and their frustrations in such situations.
The women therefore urged the State government to see the need of establishing special courts and train special judges for the task to enhance easy access to justice and medicare.
The Demands as contained in the communique are, funding and training of judicial and medical personnel, law enforcement agencies and others on handling GBV cases.
Others include rapid evidence gathering and reporting, provision of rapid response vehicles and buses for sensitization; monthly sensitization on GBV by the Akwa Ibom State Gender Based Violence Management Committee in all the local governments areas using local dramatization as a tool.
The women who were victims of Gender Base Violence further demand for playing the drama on all radio and television stations in the State, appropriate data collation in all localities of perpetrators and survivors for proper referrals and reporting to stop the menace of GBV, establishment of Sexual And Referral Centres, (SARCs) in all local government areas using primary health care centres and pharmacies, as well as provision of adequate equipment and counsellors at the existing three SARCs.
They also made a case for availability of counterparts funding for agencies and civil society organizations to properly handle GBV cases and warned that citizens should be alert and sensitive to GBV cases and learn to be their brothers’ keepers .
” By so doing, encouraging whistle blowing; women social group focusing on economic and social wellbeing of members and being responsible to cases of GBV amongst their members.
“Skill acquisition and empowerment of survivors of GBV, as well as inclusion of GBV in the school curriculum and making it a separate subject outside sex education”.
They appreciated the organizers of the training, (WUEE), for putting up the programme which they said has opened their eyes on issues of GBV, and promised to replicate the training they received in different fora in their respective communities.
The executive director, Women United For Economic Empowerment, Mrs Iniobong Frank, while welcoming participants to the workshop, recalled that WUEE is a Non Governmental Organization(NGO) which had existed since 2002, working on thematic areas like women, youth, education, health, etc.
Frank who was represented by the HES, WUEE, Mr Joshua Nya, said the project is an activity and reporting project aimed at empowering women and letting them know how to prevent GBV to achieve zero tolerance.
Giving an overview of the project, the finance and compliance manager, WUEE, Mrs Emem Ekong, said the project is to compel a shift in societal attitude towards gender equality and respect, thereby reducing the normalization of violence against women and children in Oron and Ikot Ekpene regions.
” Empower survivors to become emboldened to report incidences of GBV in an atmosphere of confidentiality; as well as facilitate institutional behavioral change through activities that will ensure compliance of law enforcement agents responsible for facilitating protection, dispensation of Justice, such as the police and the Ministry of Justice in Akwa Ibom State.”
Presenting lectures on the “current state of GBV in Akwa Ibom State” and “stemming the tide of GBV in Akwa Ibom State: the role of citizens, government, traditional and faith based institutions, CSOs etc”, the secretary, Akwa Ibom State Gender Based Violence Management Committee, and Director, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Response department, a ministry of Justice, Mrs Emem Ette Esq, said currently, there are 1,467 cases of GBV in the state.
” Out of the 1,467 cases, the committee is investigating 410 cases, made 53 convictions,while 302 cases have been withdrawn.”
“Citizens play crucial role in the fight against GBV by fostering a culture of awareness, support, and zero tolerance towards violence, while government holds a pivotal role in combating GBV through legislation, enforcement, and the provision of effective support services.
“Traditional leaders hold significant influence within communities and can play transformative roles in combating GBV, faith based institutions hold a unique and powerful position in fight against GBV, as religious leaders can leverage their moral authority to advocate against GBV and promote gender equality, even as the civil society organizations are often at the forefront of raising awareness on GBV.” She said
