GBV: Group advocates strengthened system to protect women, girls from violence

The Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), a civil society organisation, has advocated for a strengthened system to help protect women and girls from all forms of violence, especially sexual assualt.

The Director of Programmes and Administration of WRAPA, Mrs Anisah Ari, made the call at a workshop for institutions providing response services to victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Abuja on Thursday.

It was reported that the aim of the workshop is to strengthen the capacity of institutions in discharging their duties to further advance the rights of women.

Ari said that even when victims report their cases to the various institutions, they end up not getting redress, hence the need to strengthen the capacity of these institutions.

She noted that such situation was like a double blow on the victims, and may make them to be silent.

She added that most GBV victims would keep quiet and feels like not reporting, since they do not get the anticipated response from these institutions.

“So, the reason why we are here is to support these institutions, most of who are community-based organisations providing responsible services to victims of GBV, and to also encourage them to improve in their services.

“We are also here to know the actual functions of some of these institutions, and how WRAPA can better assist them to do their work well,” Ari said.

Also, Mr Felicia Jessa, the Chairperson of Women Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN), Abuja chapter, urged women to report GBV in their communities and stop shying away.

According to her, the workshop by WRAPA has opened up their eyes and their minds, and that women must start reporting GBV to traditional rulers and religious leaders, to put a stop to the menace.

Jessa noted that there were increased cases of GBV during the 2020 lockdown, adding that most of it did not go down well with the women, as men run away from their responsibilities.

Reports state that organisations present at the workshop include: Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) and National Orientation Agency (NOA).

Others were WOWICAN, National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Women of Resilience Group and Marie Initiative.