FIDA Nigeria has raised alarm over the rising cases of Gender Based Violence, calling on stakeholders to collaborate and develop implementation emergency response plans to address the ills in the society.
This is also as FIDA Nigeria said it had greatly stepped up her intervention efforts at curbing the high rate of GBV, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown by engaging in different proactive programs and strategies, such as reviewed case management, economic empowerment, provision of shelter, provision of adequate referral pathways for survivors, and most especially provision of legal aid and quick access to justice for survivors.
The Country Vice President/National President FIDA Nigeria, Rhoda Prevail Tyoden made the call today during a press conference to mark the 2021 Commemoration of 16 DAYS ACTIVISM on Ending Now all Gender based Violence Against Women and Girls with the theme: “Orange the World: End Violence Against Women NOW!
Tyoden who harped on the need for the enforcement and implementation of all legislation relating to gender-based violence, stressed that violence against Women and Girls is a clear gross violation of their fundamental human rights. It is a global health and developmental issue that cuts across economic wealth, culture, religion, age, and sexual orientation, she added.
According to the Country Vice President, Women and the girl child are subjected in many climes to live and survive in domestic settings that threaten their very existence and proper development. The Covid-19 Pandemic showed more than ever that women are the most disadvantaged in the society, as the pandemic fueled an exponential increase in VAWG through domestic and physical abuse, rape, psychological abuse, FGM, early marriage etc.
She stated that the estimates published by WHO indicate that globally, about 1 in 3 (30%) of women worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime, these statistics are certainly worrisome and cannot be ignored.
In her words: “FIDA appreciates the serious nature of the issue at hand, and salutes all front liners for their service, commitment and sacrifice, as we equally empathize with all victims and survivors daily exposed to these heinous crimes and acknowledge the supportive roles played by key actors and stakeholders in ending this atrocious crime.”
“The declaration of a State of Emergency by the Federal Government on the 11th of June 2020 was a further great accomplishment for all activists, which led to the adoption of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, 2015 in more states of the federation thereby ensuring that we are equipped with the necessary laws.”
The FIDA Nigeria President who informed that FIDA has created awareness stated that this was achieved by by carrying out targeted advocacy and the resultant effect was increase in GBV cases and the handling of such cases.
“Also, In partnership with Ford Foundation, FIDA Nigeria is working with Gatekeepers including Women Leaders, Youth, Religious Leaders and Traditional Rulers to Address Social Norms that Negatively Affect the Status of Women and Entrench Violence Against Women and Girls: The project is aimed at mitigating the incidence of GBV in two communities each in Ekiti, Lagos, and Plateau states by altering the social norms, beliefs, and traditional practices in the target communities through community-led change.
“Our Paralegal training project is self-funded by FIDA Nigeria and is being implemented in all our state branches across the federation which is aimed at bringing our services closer to the people and getting them involved in the fight to end violence against women and girls.
FIDA therefore draws the attention of all stakeholders to the following as deserving prompt action: Spousal/Domestic Abuse; Workplace Abuse (in formal and informal sectors) and Violence in institutions as we commend the National Assembly for the law against harassment in our higher institutions and the recently launched sexual harassment policy of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Sundiata Post recalls that FIDA Nigeria is commemorating the annual 16 Days Activism on ending Gender-Based Violence (GBV) with a lineup of several activities, commencing from today, 25th November to 10th December 2021 which is the Human Rights Day.
Culled from Sundiata Post
