By Elizabeth Achagh
The Benue State Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, SGBV Response Team has adopted action points aimed at strengthening the prevention and response to SGBV across the state.
The strategic plan which focuses on strengthening referral pathways among stakeholders was adopted during a two day coordination meeting funded by the European Union EU, with International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) and the Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare as implementing partners.
The meeting brought together stakeholders from government ministries, departments and agencies, the judiciary, traditional institutions, religious bodies, security agencies, development partners, civil society organisations and the media.
Secretary to the State Government Deborah Aber maintained that the consequences of SGBV are devastating to individuals, families and society, stressing that an effective response requires strong law enforcement, timely referrals, access to justice and sustained coordination among stakeholders.
Represented by Terna Ako, the SSG urged the team to develop a structural framework that would strengthen the state’s SGBV response, adding that no survivor should be denied support because of geographical location or proximity to services.
The Component State Lead, Melissa Omene of International IDEA, described SGBV as one of the major human rights violations in the country that has persisted despite years of campaign against it.
Benue State Lead, Gloria Bai identified fragmented coordination, inadequate funding, underreporting, lack of access to services for survivors and poor data management as some of the challenges affecting effective service delivery.
Some of the participants called for improved data collection and management to ensure evidence-based decision-making, improved access to timely and quality survivor-centred services and improved synergy among agencies to enhance SGBV protection.#
Edited By Terna Injua
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