From Osaigbovo Iguobaro
A glimmer of hope flickered to life during a 2-Day training Workshop for Community structures aimed at tackling Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
These vices pose a significant threat to the well-being and potential of citizens across Edo State, including Ikpoba-Okha, Ovia North East and Uhunmwode Local Government Areas, selected at the event held in Benin City.
Women’s Rights and Health Project, backed by the Rule of Law and Anti-corruption (ROLAC) Programme are behind the pursuit that plants the seeds of awareness. The collaboration promotes implementation of Violence Against Persons Prohibition VAPP Law in the State.
The workshop seeks to dismantle drivers of SGBV, including undue interference and other bottlenecks associated with challenge of raising awareness for visibility at subconscious levels.
In addition, it also seek to break cultural and religious barriers towards in how to handle Sexual and Gender-based Violence cases and expand the knowledge space, especially among and Edo rural dwellers by relying on the right messaging technique/ approach that mirrors the society and help combat SGBV incidents.
Executive Director, Women’s Rights and Health Project, Bose Ironsi, made a welcome and ambitious pledge and challenged participants on the need curb the spread of SGBV highlighted measures and interventions in addressing the scourge.
The Convener, who undertook her task with measured diligence, said, “there is a lot of work that need to be done”, noting that one of the critical issues is that despite the much hoopla, “some residents of Edo State, particularly survivors of SGBV do not know where to seek help”, Ironsi said.
She however recommended adequate and sustained enlightenment in improving awareness and effective reportage that enhance SGBV cases towards securing diligent prosecution of offenders in courts.
A resource person from Edo State Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Dr Faith Edobor, recalled conscious efforts made by the State government had taken a number of measures to address SGBV over the years. The establishment of one-stop centres to deal with nagging issues and restore public confidence in justice delivery to SGBV victims.
Edobor who released 080554461139 as the hotline of the Centre which was named after Vivian Ogwu, has handled several cases, sued for support of participants at the Workshop that later split into sessions where participants gave insights on agenda setting after short playlet about handling
SGBV cases in the Local Government Areas.
Executive Director, Caring initiative, Grace Ese Obakine, blamed most cases of spousal abuse-related crimes on poverty.
But, she sued for economic empowerment for women to improve the quality of life in order to enhance and overcome negative experiences.
In his presentation, Dr Bright Oniovokukor, who is the Executive Director, Indomitable youth Organization, took participants on objections of Advocacy, myths and concerns approaches/ methodology through effective collaboration for result at the session.
SGBV Advocates at the workshop unanimously resolved that breaking barriers and paving the way for others to follow in the fight against SGBV are certainly difficult, but it’s not impossible task to defeat silly, subversive and obsessively lewd sexual predators’ and their collaborators in the years ahead, by expanding the literacy space of activism.
Leave a Reply