By Udeme Hosea

In a bid  to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Akwa Ibom State, USAID State2State has called on citizens and volunteers to unite in fighting the menace and take activism beyond  the 16 Days.

Participants at the event

The event with the theme: “Unite, invest to prevent Gender Based Violence”, held at Rosmohr Gold Hotel, Uyo on December 8, 2023 in commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, which started on 25th November.

Speaking on the objectives of the workshop, Ms Ejiro Okotie hinted that the intervention is to enhance knowledge, create public awareness and encourage individuals and organizations to act and develop strategies for the elimination of all forms of violence against women and  foster urgent need to increase funding and investment for inclusion and long term policies to prevent and respond to Gender Based Violence in the six partner states, as well as create awareness on the negative long term effects of violence against women and their meaningful participation in PFM, governance and peace processes.

ACROSS SECTION OF PARTICIPANTS

Speaking on Gender Based Violence in Akwa Ibom State, the director, Gender Based Violence, Ministry of Justice and State Secretary of GBV management committee, Barr Emem Ette, hinted that Akwa Ibom State recently emerged  a model state in Womanity Index (GBV) 2023 Report, which was launched on 4th December 2023 in Abuja, Nigeria, by Invictus Africa and BudgIT Foundation.

She highlighted their achievements to include stakeholders meeting on the reintroduction of traditional sanctions to curb GBV, visit to all the federal constituencies in the state for effective dissemination of information and implementation of the VAPP law as well as translation of the law into local dialects.

In securing investments to prevent GBV in the state, stakeholders recommended a step down of sensitization on GBV in work places, harmonization of organizations and partners, strengthening  GBV club in secondary schools and creating more awareness in communities through the media.

PARTICIPANTS

Also, stakeholders urged the state to sustain efforts through improved budgetary provision, capacity strengthening of service providers and developing an audio version of the VAPP law, and also mentioned roles women groups can play in securing investments to prevent Gender Based Violence. 

Highpoint of the workshop were panel discussion on what USAID and other donor agencies can do to increase investments in preventing GBV in Akwa Ibom State, and group work on the roles women can play in securing investments to prevent GVB.