*16 DAYS ACTIVISM AGAINST SEXUAL AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE: LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS URGES WOMEN TO PLAY ACTIVE ROLE TO END GENDER BASED VIOLENCE*

By Victor Paul Unoh

League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOVW) Akwa Ibom State Chapter, has urged women in the state to play effective roles to put to end gender and sexual violence ( GBV).

The League Chairperson in the state, Rt. Hon. Princess Felicia Bassey made the call in Uyo on Thursday, December 9, 2021 during a one day sensitization and awareness campaign on Sexual Abuse and Gender-based Violence organized to mark the 16 Days of Activism against GBV.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicked off November 25, on the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and runs until December 10, which marks Human Rights Day, according to the UN Women website. The global theme for this year’s 16 Days of Activism against GBV which started from November 25, 2021, is ; “Orange The World, End VIOLENCE Against Women Now! “

According to the Chairperson of the League in Akwa Ibom State, who is also the Deputy Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, explained that “there is need to put all hands on deck to save lives of Women, Children and Girls alike based on reported cases, the perpetrators of these crimes are mostly close relatives of the victims, as such , there is need to keep our eyes on our wards”.

She observed that reports have indicated that nearly 1 in 3 women have been abused in their lifetime and in times of crisis and that it became even more worrisome and despicable when a father sexually harasses his own very own daughter, brothers do same to blood sisters, female and male relations, not by any form of consent, but by brute force that lead to eternal scars on the victims.

She lamented that these victims, some of whom might not be bold enough to voice out the indignity and pains they suffer physically, mentally or psychologically, have no means to take good medical care of themselves in most instances and sometimes may have to live in guarded silence with whatever adverse consequences.

Princess Felicia Bassey who doubles as the Chairperson Female Legislators of Nigeria appealed to the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel to give assent to the Law to provide for free, complete and compulsory Medical Treatment and Care for Child Victims/ Persons of Sexual Violence and for related Matters which was passed into Law by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to enable appropriate agencies and institutions involved to invoke the law on defaulters and perpetrators of Sexual Violence in the State. She said the bill came both as an advocacy and initiative by the legislature to take a little but conscious step further by developing a legal model that provides for compulsory medical treatment for victims of sexual violence or abuse.

She acknowledged the unrelenting efforts of Akwa Ibom State Governor's wife, Dr. Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, in aggressively launching sensitization, advocacy and awareness campaigns against rape and other sexual abuses against the Child Victim, expressing hope that the bill when assented to by the Governor will compliment Her Excellency's role and drastically reduce the ugly menace in the Society. She added that the League seeks to empower Nigerian Women both politically and economically for National Development.

Also speaking, Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Sufficiency, Dr. Glory Edet said women make up to 50 per cent of society, and not representing them socially and politically will hinder any economic growth, and eventually the thriving and prosperity of society. She noted the importance of empowering women and girls through education and skills acquisition, which gives them better choices and chances.

Dr. Glory also illustrated the plight of survivors and victims of domestic violence, the obstacles faced when seeking support and highlighted the need to criminalize domestic violence.

Also speaking, Honorable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Ini Adiakpan
said the walk was to amplify public awareness on the need for prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

Dr. Adiakpan noted that one in three women across the world experience violence in their lifetime. This means more than 1 billion women and girls face physical or sexual abuse. Physical, sexual-based and emotional violence doesn’t discriminate but affects women of all ages and backgrounds, hence the need to increasing awareness about gender-based violence and crimes.

Chairperson House of Assembly Committee on Public Account and member representing Ukanafun State Constituency, Hon. Charity Ido, Executive Chairman of Nsit Atai Local Government Area, Lady Emem Ibanga, immediate past Chairman of Eastern Obolo, Hon. Victoria Tallick and other participants who spoke during the strategic campaign, shared their experience supporting survivors of gender-based violence and the need to strengthen existing response mechanisms, including increasing the numbers of female employees as a crucial step to strengthen the trust between survivors who seek for support and the existing institutions. In addition, participants highlighted the need to criminalize violent crimes committed at home and to enact anti-domestic violence law as a crucial step to counter gendered misconceptions and reluctance to address societal norms and behaviour to criminalise violence in the State.

The campaign aims to get the whole world involved in the conversation, generating awareness, sharing important information, and highlighting ways women can all help tackle the global epidemic of sexual and gender-based violence.