Some communities in Akwa Ibom State have called for more information on issues of Gender Based Violence and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights saying they’ve been ignorant of some of these issues that affect them.
The people disclosed this over the weekend during house hold discussions on gender based violence organised by Coalition of Eastern NGOs, Akwa Ibom Chapter/CIRDDOC with UKAID and funded by AmplifyChange for SRHR held at the three senatorial districts of the State which comprised, Uyo, Ikot Ekpene and Eket.
They further disclosed that there were instances of gender based violence especially at their neighborhood which had remained unreported promising that having known the implications of hiding sexual offenders(rapists) and abusers, they would ensure that such cases are reported as soon as they occur.
The people mostly rural dwellers also showed readiness to enrol for family planning to reduce child bearing and take proper care of the ones they already have.
“We are very happy to receive you and we are willing and eager to learn more on issues of Gender based violence. Honestly before now most of us do not know much about SRHR/GBV. Indeed this discussion was an eye-opener to us.
“Even in our neighborhood, there are some cases of GBV which have not been reported because of fear, but with the information we have gotten so far during our discussion, those things will no longer go unreported.” One of the participants Linus Jimmy had said in one of the visits.
Another participant noted, ”I wish you people can be coming regularly because some of the things I’ve learnt today were things we heard before but never knew how to go about it especially the family planning. I’m also happy that my husband is around to listen to what you people were saying.”
Speaking earlier, the Community Education volunteers from Akwa Ibom State said it was a crime to hide or protect rapists or perpetrators of GBV stressing that the dangers were numerous.
They gave out the emergency lines for the people to report any incidence of GBV or go to the nearest health centre to access information on SRHR.
