A COALITION of faith-based and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has called for enforcement of laws against all forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and swift prosecution of perpetrators.
The coalition made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at the inauguration of a brochure on trauma identification and management titled “Stories of Pain and Hope.”
The brochure was produced by Misereor Dialogue and Partnership Service (Misereor-DSP), a German faith-based organisation, in collaboration with its partners.
Mrs Mabel Ade, the Executive Director of Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF), said that traditional and cultural dynamics with the menace of GBV create a complex web that perpetuates the cycle of abuse and oppression.
She added that practices such as child marriage, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), among others, reinforce the subjugation of women and perpetuate women’s vulnerability to violence.
Adinya demanded the immediate return of the remaining Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped 10 years ago by Boko Haram insurgents and the last of Dapchi schoolgirls, Leah Sharibu, still in custody of terrorists, among others.
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According to her, when laws fail to adequately protect survivors and hold perpetrators accountable, they continue to perpetuate GBV.
She director urged Nigerians to demand that government prioritise safety and wellbeing of citizens, particularly women and girls.
She added that “there is an urgent need for enactment and enforcement of laws that criminalises all forms of GVB, and for swift prosecution of perpetrators.
“There is also the need for establishment of specialised healthcare services, tailored to the unique needs of GBV survivors, including comprehensive maternal health services and mental health support.
“Implementing widespread educational campaigns aimed at eradicating stigma surrounding Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and promoting gender equality and respect are also urgently needed.
“Also, creating opportunities for economic empowerment through skill training, entrepreneurship programmes and job placement initiatives targeted at survivors are fundamental.
“There is need to empower survivors to participate in political process through leadership training, advocacy platforms, and support networks, thereby giving the women the needed voice and space to tell their own stories and be healed in the process.”
She congratulated Misereor and partners for the ground-breaking initiative, expressing hope that issues regarding GBV would attract attention.
Earlier, the Head of Misereor-DSP, Ms Julia Kroja, said “trauma-sensitive work involves implementing practices and interventions that recognise and respond to the trauma experienced by individuals and communities.”
She said that for 10 years, Misereor and partner organisations have been involved in trauma-sensitive work and psychosocial care.
According to her, representatives of these organisations have participated in training, applied their knowledge in projects, collected stories from affected persons and offered support in various forms.
Kroja said the coalition had carried out individual and group counselling, trained teachers and continued to work in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.
She explained that in the inaugurated brochure, there are four stories of women and girl survivors of GBV.
“This publication takes a community-based approach to provide examples of wounded hearts, how to recognise a wounded heart, and how we can heal together.
“Trauma-sensitive work requires a holistic and multidisciplinary approach that addresses the complex interplay of individual, interpersonal, community, and structural factors that contribute to trauma.
“By prioritising trauma-informed practices and interventions, organisations can better support the recovery, resilience and well-being of individuals and communities affected by trauma.”
Dr Ibrahim Zikrullahi, the Executive Director of Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, said that the number of traumatised persons in society is on the increase.
He added that insecurity, corruption, economic hardship, and the uncertainty of the time are parts of the factors for mass trauma conditions.
Zikrullahi said that the brochure could not have come at a better time as it will serve as a tool to address the growing menace. (NAN)
