From Osaigbovo Iguobaro
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence data, is tricky. Anger management, trauma and frustrations remain a challenge in Nigerian society — riven with class conflict, inequality and anomalies.
But, the Women’s Rights and Health Project, WRAHP, Managers of Ireti Resource Centre in partnership with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC II) and International IDEA, is building blocs of dignity and prosperity to deliver real impact, with Community legal Clinic advocacy programme, that recently belt in Evboligun Community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.
The legal aid clinic seeks to bridge the gap amongst stakeholders by building resilience and ensuring access to justice for underprivileged and marginalized groups, particularly SGBV survivors and domestic violence prevention with inspiring examples of committed responses.
*Strategies to overcome despair
Dr Faith Edebor, official from the Sexual Assault referral Centres, SARC better known as the Vivian Centre, Dr Faith Edebor, described marriage as a complex institution, urging victims of domestic violence not to be cowed into silence during during or after incidents of domestic violence, but explore legal instruments, including Violence Against Persons Prohibition, VAPP laws as antidote against societal stigma that could be life-threatening in extreme cases.
“Marriage is not a do-or-die affair. Quarrels do occur in marriages. But things should not be allowed to drift beyond redemption before you start taking steps to fix them”, Edebor while sharing her perspective.
The government official, highlighted the penalty of indecent exposure (indecent dressing) and demystified the myth surrounding female General Mutilation, FGM.
“Indecent dressing does not justify rape or Gender-Based Violence,
according to the official who also said, “There is no data suggesting uncircumcised women and girls are more promiscuous than their circumcised women and girls as been purported”.
On her part, Juliet
Akpojevba, Edo State Programme officer, Women’s Rights and Health Project, WRAHP, encouraged victims of spousal abuse to explore the SGBV psycho-socio support to overcome emotional challenge
through Counselling session.
*Understanding the legal framework against SGBV
A Benin-based lawyer and Gender advocate with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme, RoLAC, Henry Amaechi Nwazor, enumerated the importance of legal aid clinic, amid rising cases of domestic violence.
He challenged participants, particularly underprivileged women and girls at the One-Day advocacy programme to study the VAPP Law and the seek help free-of-charge from government lawyers and courts when human rights are violated, noting that sensitization against SGBV must be sustained in Nigeria.
The designated help channels, according to him, include the SARC’s centre, Citizens Rights Department, a Department under Edo State Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Women Affairs that handles Gender, Legal Aid Council and police formations in the State.
The probono lawyer, “Information is power. Despite the challenges associated with access to justice, rape and defilement are criminal offences. Indecent assault, attracts three years imprisonment upon conviction”.
The resource person who expressed confidence that victims’ voices will be heard, emphasized the importance of child protection and care, noting that access denial, custody, child abandonment and other and other harmful practices are justiciable.
In her goodwill message, Bose Ironsi, the programme Facilitator, stated that the initiative is not limited to individual survivors, but broader Community.
Ironsi, the Executive Director of WRAHP, Bose Ironsi, said, “working closely with key stakeholders, including artisans, market traders, and religious leaders, the clinic promotes a collaborative approach to addressing SGBV”.
“This inclusive engagement seeks to build a network of informed and supportive Community structures that actively contribute to the prevention of abuse and the protection of survivors”, according to the Gender-Based Advocate behind the action plan.
TheNewspad reports that the initiative helps to promote dialogue and knowledge-sharing sessions, survivors and Community members gain invaluable insights into their legal rights and the resources available to them, fostering greater awareness and resilience within the sphere of influence.
The advocacy session, which recorded huge turnout of participants, also featured questions and answers aimed at minimizing domestic abuse and harmonious living by families despite alleged heavy-handed response by some law enforcement Agents.
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