Odumakin, Baruwa, others applaud IGP for supporting GBV victims

Human rights activists, gender advocates, and civil society organisations have lauded the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, for approving the establishment of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) desks in all police divisions nationwide.

They view the initiative as a significant step toward enhancing access to justice for GBV survivors.

President of Women Arise, Dr Joe Odumakin, who described it as “a welcome development” that aligns with global efforts to eradicate gender-based violence, commended the police chief for aligning his vision with rights advocates who had been championing the cause for easier access to justice for victims of GBV.

Odumakin stressed the need for effective monitoring of the process, cautioning that without proper oversight, unscrupulous officers could undermine the IGP’s good intentions through greed and unprofessional conduct.

Similarly, an international gender and development expert, Olufunke Baruwa, commended the IGP’s decision, calling it a “transformative initiative” that would make GBV support more accessible, particularly for victims in rural and underserved areas.

She added that the decentralisation is a bold commitment to improving access to justice for survivors across Nigeria.

Corroborating Baruwa, Founder and Executive Director of the Stop the Abuse Against Women and Children Foundation, Toyin Ndidi Taiwo-Ojo, said the expansion of GBV desks is expected to significantly improve reporting rates, case management, and investigations.

She added that by bringing these specialised units closer to communities, survivors would no longer have to endure long journeys or bureaucratic bottlenecks before seeking help.

Baruwa, a former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigerian Women Trust Fund and erstwhile Programme Officer of Ford Foundation, added that “to ensure proper handling of GBV cases, the officers appointed to these specialised desks must possess a combination of technical expertise, interpersonal skills, and a survivor-centred approach.

She said that they would also need specialised training in handling GBV; trauma-informed and survivor-centred approach; partnership with women rights organisations and government agencies like NAPTIP, and DVSA; investigative and case handling skills; crisis intervention and psychological first aid; confidentiality and ethical standards among others.

The experts also agreed that the IGP’s decision to integrate GBV desk officers with the Juvenile, Women, and Children (JWC) section will create a holistic case management system that ensures survivors receive not only legal assistance but also medical care, psychological support, and rehabilitation services.

Another prominent gender rights activist and founder of Equity Force Nigeria, Patricia Iloegbunam, also expressed confidence that the presence of GBV desks, manned by officers trained to handle sensitive cases with empathy and professionalism, would encourage more victims to seek justice.

She, therefore, urged the National Assembly to strengthen laws protecting victims of GBV and ensure the effective implementation of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP Act) across all states.