The wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti
The wife of the Governor of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Otti has call on all stakeholders to unite against violence and injustice that disproportionately affect women and girls in the society.
Mrs. Otti made the call at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia the state capital in a summit marking the end of the year 2024, 16 days of activism against gender based violence.
The Governor’s wife expressed that the fight against GBV is not one that any individual or organization can win alone.
“It demands a united, multisectoral approach involving every stakeholder, government, civil society organisations, law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, educators, and community members,” she said.
Mrs. Otti further expressed that Abia State under Governor Otti is not relenting but have gone ahead in inaugurating the GBV response team and the GBV management committee.
These bodies she explained will bring together key stakeholders to ensure a coordinated response to GBV cases including, overseeing prevention strategies, ensuring timely intervention, and monitoring the provision of support services for survivors.
Recognizing the financial barriers that survivors often face in seeking justice or rebuilding their lives, the Abia First Lady said that the state government through her office have also established a GBV Victim Support Fund.
This fund is dedicated to helping survivors access legal aid, medical care, counseling, and emergency shelter when needed.
“We have also gone ahead to strengthening awareness campaigns to challenge cultural norms and stereotypes that perpetuate violence and silence victims, training law enforcement agencies and judicial officers to handle GBV cases with the sensitivity and urgency it deserves, enhanced partnership with NGOs, community leaders and international agencies to ensure that survivors receive comprehensive care and support,”.
However, Mrs. Otti said that she is delighted that the violence against persons prohibition laws(VAPP Law) would be domesticated in Abia State and appeals to the leaders, law enforcement agencies, educators, and community members to partner her in ensuring that Abia State becomes a haven where every person can live free from violence and fear.
According to her, ” As the First Lady of Abia State, I remain deeply committed to this cause. Together, through our multisectoral efforts, operationalizing the VAPP law, and with unwavering determination, we will end GBV and build a future where the rights, dignity, and safety of every individual are upheld.
“Let us not wait for another moment. Let us act now and let our actions echo the message that violence has no place in Abia State,”.
Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Maureen Aghukwa
Reflecting on the theme ‘Advancing Gender Justice and Child Protection Through Strategic Partnership’ the Commissioner for Women Affairs in Abia State, Dr. Maureen Aghukwa states that Abia have seen devastating impact of GBV and therefore call for collaboration and collective effort to end the menace.
In their separate speeches Caritas Nigeria, Federation of International Women Lawyers(FIDA), Civil Society Organisations, Security Agencies and other individual partners agreed that GBV lives an indelible marks in the heart of its victims and sometimes lead them into horrible lifestyles.
They call for domestication of the VAPP law through various languages of understanding and a dedicated court of competent jurisdiction to adjudicate cases of gender based violence.
Meanwhile, the traditional rulers who spoke through His Royal Highness, Eze Ifeanyichukwu Nwokenna of Ekeoba Autonomous Community in Ohuhu Umuahia North LGA said that the time has come for government to empower the traditional rulers to implement laws protecting widows and female inheritance.
Also the traditional ruler of Owuwa Anyanwu in Ohafia LGA maintained that culture is dynamic.
According to him, ” today’s society is evolving, therefore obsolete cultures with harmful practices against women and girls should be jettison to usher new ones that protects the rights of women and children.
The summit features lectures on gender based violence and the law, empowerment of GBV survivors and technical sections by participants.
