Stakeholders have called for a timely report of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), saying that it will facilitate the prosecution of perpetrators and curb its prevalence in the state.

They said this during the GBV sensitisation on sexual and gender-based violence among adolescents and young persons, organised by Centre for Integrated Health Programme (CIHP) as part of efforts on 16 days of activism against GBV in Lagos.

Gender Integration Associate, Aisha Sule, said that GBV goes beyond sexual violence, adding that men are also victims of GBV. She, therefore, urged school administrators to be sensitive and swift to report any of such occurrence as adolescents spend more time in school than at home.

Legal practitioner, Adaora Ochubili, also urged the public to report cases and assured them of the efficacy of the system to deal with perpetrators.

ALSO, stakeholders in the fight against GBV, yesterday, advocated synergy among Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) towards fostering a safer and more inclusive environment for women and girls in Edo State.

The stakeholders equally pledged their commitment towards preventing violence against women and girls in the state. Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, Barbara Osobajo, who spoke in Benin City at an event to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls sponsored by the EU-ACT/British Council in collaboration with SAFI and MSDGI, said the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government is committed to ensuring a world free from violence against women and girls in the state.

Osobajo said all hands must be on deck in fostering a safer and more inclusive environment for women and girls in the state. On his part, EU-ACT Programme State Focal Person in Edo State, Newton Otsemaye, said the EU-ACT programme was a four-year programme managed by the British Council and supported by the European Union (EU).

He said the programme had effectively addressed GBV, particularly in the constitution of Edo State Policy Think Tank as well as collation of data on gender-based violence issues in Edo state.

In his speech, Executive Director, Society for Awareness and Family Initiative (SAFI), Abraham Inosezilo, who emphasised the role of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the campaign against GBV in Edo State, called for synergy among the CSOs to fight the menace.