Akwa Ibom State Violence Management Committee has joined its counterparts across the globe to mark the 2024, 16 days of Activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV).
It urged religious and community leaders, men, groups, organisations and other stakeholders to join hands in tackling the issues of GBV in the state.
The Coordinator, Office of Akwa Ibom first lady, Mrs Helen Obareki made the appeal in Uyo while flagging off the event at the Ibom hall, with the theme, ‘Unite: To End Violence Against Women And Girls’.
Obareki, represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Ini Adiakpan, said
war against Gender Based Violence is a war that must be fought and won, therefore, men have a significant role to play in stemming the tide in the communities.
According to her, “Fight against GBV is a collective thing and we must move as a group with one voice; the men leading us, speaking for us that GBV is wrong.
“The war against Gender Based Violence is a war that must be fought and a war that must be won. A tree as we know can never make a forest.
“The fight must get to the churches, communities. Parents should be mindful of how they send their daughters for counseling and monitor what they watch at the internet.”
Also speaking, the deputy governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, represented by Dr. Ekaette Ebong Okon, Chairman of the State Secondary Education Board said the fight against GBV requires “a whole-of-society approach”.
She challenged everyone to have a burden of longing to make a difference in the society by either supporting a survivor, reporting an abuser, or challenging toxic norms.
“As we embark on this 16-day journey, let us remember that it is not just about these two weeks but about the year-round fight to eliminate violence against women and girls. It is about creating a safer, fairer, and more equitable society for all,” she added.
The Secretary, Akwa Ibom State Gender Based Violence Management Committee, Barr. Emem Ette, who described GBV in the state as hydra-headed, said despite the various successes the state government had achieved in tackling gender based violence through provision of prompt response to cases, as well as medical, psychological and legal services, the menace appears insurmountable.
While urging everyone to be actively involved in addressing GBV issues, Ette advised parents to look out for their wards as new forms of GBV such as sextortion and human trafficking have become prevalent in the state.
“As the world evolves, new trends of GBV keep arising. Now we have what we call sextortion which most of our teenagers are passing through.
“Another one is human trafficking – we have seen a number of children being trafficked, we must address this issue as we are going to start the 16 days of activism.
“We are going to draw the attention of parents, they should be more careful about their children. If you want to send your children to school, walk with them,” she advised.
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