The Integrated Health Program USAID (IHP-USAID), in collaboration with Ebonyi Genderbase Violence (GBV) Taskforce, have advocated that state governments designate appropriate support to survivors of GBV.
Mr Augustine Onwe, the Gender Social Inclusion and Community Engagement Advisor IHP and other key stakeholders, made this known on Thursday during its quarterly meeting with stakeholders in Abakaliki.
Onwe maintained that the recommendation in providing and championing care to survivors of domestic, sexual, defilements and other harmful practices, would reduce risk factor and health effect.
The IHP-USAID Advisor added that the suggestion would reduce the devastating short- and long-term consequences to their mental health and the society.
He said the meeting was to refresh and proffer on strengthening referral systems and implementation of the referral pathway.
“Lack of service to support survivors, unemployment, gender and social inequality was factors encouraging GBV.
“So, we are advocating to government to see how allocations and provisions can be made to support survivors and ensure they get services at every point,” Onwe said.
He, however, said that strong, committed stakeholders, and referral systems must play roles to help survivors reach care by being prompt and create supportive approach.
He suggested that dialogue with community stakeholders and religious organizations would minimse consequences and further trauma.
Mrs Faithvin Nwachor, the Ebonyi State Coordinator, Gender-base Violence Taskforce, said it recorded 41 GBV cases from January 2023 to date.
Nwanchor revealed that domestic violence and sexual violence were on the rise.
She said that cases recorded during the period include; spousal battery, defilements and abandonment.
“Experience has shown that domestic violence is high,” Nwanchor said.
Mrs Goodness Mgbaja, the Ebonyi State Program Officer, Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre (CIRDDOC), called on the state government and relevant authorities to deepen its responsibilities to lift burdens from survivors.
Mgbaja said that proper public sensitization was needed to break culture of silence, ignorance to end and avert consequences associated with the trend.
“With the numerous supports from international organizations so far, there was the need for the system to look inward to salvage system,” Mgbaja said.
Mr Deborah Okah, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, commended GBV tasksfore for their efforts to reduce and collaborate with partners to end the trend.
Okah who was represented by Mrs Marcelina Ibina, Director Women Department in the ministry, urged organizations and institutions to continue in the fight against the trend, until victory is achieved.
Mrs Nkem Chukwu, member GBV taskforce, identified paucity of funds, accommodation, welfare among others as challenges facing service providers in responding to GBV cases.
Mrs Ebele Osondu, an Officer in charge of GBV clinic at the National Obstetric Fistula Centre (NOFIC) Abakaliki, called for urgent attention to promote wellbeing of survivors in the state.
“The GBV survivors need shelter, financial support to assist them get care, employment to help them get back to their feet and at the hospital, we need essential items to help them, we are doing our best,” Osondu said.
The meeting was attended by service providers to include, NOFIC, NAPTIP, ministry of health, police, and the Nigerian correctional service, among other key stakeholders.
