The Imo State Committee on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (ISCEVAWG) has expressed concern over rising cases of human rights violations, including rape, child abuse, and domestic violence in the state.

The committee also called on Governor Hope Uzodimma to urgently establish a regulatory agency to address the issue. At a one-day meeting in Owerri, the committee emphasised the need for stronger partnerships among stakeholders to combat violence against women and girls.

It stressed that the creation of a dedicated agency would protect vulnerable groups and ensure justice for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) while also supporting the enforcement of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.

Programme Director of Alliances for Africa (AfA), Blessing Duru, urged immediate government action, warning that the effects of GBV would continue to impact the social and psychological well-being of Imo residents if left unaddressed. She also called for better coordination among service providers.

Imo State Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Ernest Ogbu, appealed for increased state support, highlighting that issues such as inadequate funding, delays in legal processes, and obstacles from law enforcement agencies hamper efforts to tackle GBV.

The committee, funded by AfA, includes representatives from civil society organisations, the Nigeria Bar Association, the National Human Rights Commission, and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).