Some Communities across the three senatorial districts in Akwa Ibom State have identified high cost of living as the root cause of Gender Based Violence in the State.
They, therefore called on Non Governmental Organisations particularly the Coalition of Eastern NGOs, CENGOs to help stem the ugly tide.
The communities made the call Thursday during a community education programme held across the three senatorial districts in the State which was organised by Coalition of Eastern NGOs, Akwa Ibom Chapter/CIRDDOC with funding from UKAID through AmplifyChange fund for SRHR.
According to one of the participants, Mrs Emmanuel Etim, “Gender Based Violence is on the increase in our communities today due to poverty and high cost of living.
”When a couple, especially the man finds it difficult to provide for the family due to high cost of foodstuffs, he flares up at the slightest provocation which in most cases may lead to GBV. The women on the other hand who is hungry can as well talk down on her spouse which could lead to assault.
“We plead the NGO to look into ways of preventing this menace by helping in reducing the cost of living.”
Also some households visited especially girls and women expressed fear in discussing their experiences on GBV issues for fear of spousal reactions and attack.
Earlier, the community education volunteers from Akwa Ibom State said there were many factors that can trigger GBV and urged families to instill in their young ones the dangers of indulging in GBV.
They however reassured the women and girls of protection of their privacy even as they encouraged them to report cases of GBV and not to die in silence.
