A United Nations (UN) report in 2020 stated that 11,200 Nigerian women and children were raped, and in another report by the American Center for Disease Control, approximately one in six boys and one in four girls are sexually abused before attaining the age of 18 years.

Apparently, to address this, Vision Spring Initiatives (VSI), a non-governmental organisation, yesterday commenced a two-day training of over 100 law enforcement officers in Umuahia, Abia State capital, in partnership with the Office of the Wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, and funded by the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF).

The training, held at the Police Officers’ Mess, Umuahia, was targeted at enhancing the trainees’ capacity towards a survivor-centred approach to ending sexual violence against women and girls (SVAWG).

Among topics discussed were the definition and causes of GBV, its prevalence, roles of state and non-state actors in combating sexual violence, necessary structures for prevention and effective response, the importance of a survivor-centred approach, psychological first aid, and the state’s referral pathway for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases. These were anchored by the Executive Director and professionals in gender matters, including the former state Chairperson of the International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), Mrs. Akudo Amanamba.

Actionable solutions, advocacy for stronger collaboration with the police and security agencies, and increased public awareness campaigns to educate the public on their legal rights, particularly regarding the security of girls and women in the state, also featured during the interaction.

VSI Executive Director, Mrs. Ngozi Nwosu-Juba, said, “The training became critical at a time that there is a spike in sexual violence due to poverty and other challenges militating against women and girls.”

She disclosed that the series of trainings supported by the African Women’s Development Fund started in 2023 with a needs assessment involving relevant stakeholders, and that the result of the findings formed the basis of the different interventions currently being implemented in the state.

She added, “Ultimately, the plan is to support the state towards establishing a sexual response agency that will provide a coordinated approach to preventing and responding to sexual violence cases in the state.”

Mrs. Otti (the state governor’s wife) commended the state Commissioner of Police for their unwavering support in the GBV fight, appreciating VSI and its partners, including the African Women’s Development Fund, for standing with the state government and investing in its journey to build a safer society. She assured that Abia State, under her husband, Dr. Alex Otti’s leadership, will ensure the safety of women, girls, and the citizenry.

During the opening session, the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Danladi Isa, who was represented by his Deputy Commissioner in Charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, Mr. Hayatu Shaffa, said that there was no better time than now to fight GBV. He stressed that the trainees were carefully selected and added that the Inspector General of Police had directed that State Commands should set up GBV Departments.

Law enforcement agencies were therefore tasked with ensuring that all enabling laws addressing gender violence are enforced, including prosecuting offenders/culprits and letting the survivors’ voices be heard.

The State Women Affairs Commissioner, Dr. Maureen Aghukwa, in her address read by Mrs. Felicia Onwuha, stated that sexual exploitation and abuse are a leading factor of GBV. She added that it is not only on the increase but has become an epidemic with horrifying statistics.

She cited the United Nations (UN) report which, she said, reported in 2020 that 11,200 Nigerian women and children were raped. She added that another report by the American Centre for Disease Control stated that approximately one in six boys and one in four girls are sexually abused before attaining the age of 18 years.

She therefore rated GBV as another scourge currently ravaging society, saying it ranges from battering among couples, rape, sexual harassment, verbal/emotional abuse, disinheritance of rights and property, harmful traditional practices, among others.

According to her, it was this scenario that partly necessitated this training aimed at ameliorating the scourge in Abia State.

Also, the State Social Protection/Poverty Alleviation Commissioner, Mrs. Ngozi Felix, while commending the Vision Spring Initiatives’ planned implementation of a survivor-centred approach to addressing sexual and gender-based violence, said that this approach, which prioritises the needs and rights of survivors, is essential for creating a safe and supportive environment that encourages healing and justice.

According to her, the Vision Spring Initiative perfectly aligns with the Ministry’s core mandate of protecting vulnerable populations and ensuring social justice for all citizens of Abia State.