The Cross River State House of Assembly has pledged to fast-track the domestication of the state’s Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Law, which was passed in 2021 but never received the governor’s assent.

The commitment was made on Wednesday when Governor Bassey Otu‘s wife led an advocacy visit to the Assembly, urging lawmakers to strengthen legislative action against sexual and gender-based violence and guarantee justice and protection for survivors.

The advocacy programme, themed “Advocacy for Prevention, Shifting Social Norms and Strengthening State Commitment to End SGBV,” was organised by Humanity Without Borders Empowerment Initiative in partnership with the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum and the Ford Foundation.

Addressing lawmakers, Mrs Otu stressed that ending gender-based violence requires strong institutional backing and sustained legislative commitment beyond political administrations.

She urged the Assembly to deepen its ownership of the campaign through concrete legislative actions, policy initiatives and resolutions that would institutionalise the prevention of gender-based violence across the state.

“As we work together, I respectfully encourage this Assembly to champion concrete legislative commitments, policy initiatives and, where appropriate, formal resolutions that will institutionalise gender-based violence prevention beyond programmes, administrations and political cycles,” she said.

The First Lady also called for the effective enforcement of existing laws, adequate and sustained budgetary allocations, stronger legislative oversight and necessary legal reforms to improve access to justice and support services for survivors.

She challenged lawmakers to leave a legacy “where justice is accessible, dignity is protected and violence has no place in communities.”

Responding, Leader of the House, Francis Bassey Asuquo, his deputy, Davies Etta, the Assembly’s only female lawmaker, Mercy Akpama, and other members commended the First Lady for championing the campaign.

The lawmakers unanimously pledged to revisit the unassented SGBV bill, review it to reflect current realities and ensure its speedy passage.

ALSO, while speaking in Calabar during a two-day advocacy programme organised by the Office of the Wife of the Governor in collaboration with the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses’ Forum and the Ford Foundation, Mrs Otu said harmful social norms, silence and stigma continue to fuel gender-based violence despite growing awareness of its devastating consequences.

She declared that violence against women and other vulnerable persons is not part of the state’s cultural heritage, urging traditional rulers and religious leaders to lead the campaign against SGBV. She urged them to use their influence to reject practices that encourage abuse, promote respect and equality, support survivors, and encourage victims to report cases without fear or shame.

IN a different development, moved by the rate of juvenile-related offences, including cases of violence perpetrated by young people under the age of 18 years, the Enugu State government has concluded plans to set up a rehabilitation centre for minors.

The government also plans to set up Special Courts for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases in the state.

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of the state, Osinachi Nnajieze, stated that the government is serious about the effective implementation of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law (VAPP) signed in 2019.

Nnajieze stated that the rehabilitation centre for minors had become necessary to stop further detention of underage persons at the adult correctional facilities.

Speaking during a three-day policy review and validation workshop on the state’s VAPP Law, Nnajieze stated that minors currently have no structured reformatory institution for correction and rehabilitation in the state.

He said that efforts are already in top gear to restore the Borstal Training Centre in Ngwo, Enugu North Local Council, to serve the need.