By Amos Aar
STAKEHOLDERS in Benue State have expressed concern over the rising cases of rape and other forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), warning that operational challenges, particularly lack of funding, are undermining the fight against the menace. They also urged survivors and their relatives to break the culture of silence by promptly reporting such cases.
The call was made on Friday in Makurdi during a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Benue State Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) with support from ActionAid Nigeria, under the “Gap GBV Project”, bringing together over 22 organisations, including the Ministry of Women Affairs, National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria Police Force, Ministry of Justice, shelter homes, Ministry of Health, civil society organisations, and community representatives.
State Coordinator of SARC, Linda Ene Dirisu, said the meeting aimed to review progress in the fight against GBV, identify gaps, and strengthen collaboration among key actors.
“The issue of sexual violence in Benue State, to be honest, is on a high rise, and that is why we have called ourselves together to brainstorm on better ways to handle it. The cases are more prevalent in rural areas, particularly among adolescent girls, infants, and even boys. Sadly, underreporting due to stigma makes it hard to get timely reports and deliver help”, she disclosed during an interview with journalists at the meeting.
Dirisu noted that while progress had been recorded, the SARC and other stakeholders were hampered by severe funding shortages.
“We do not expect survivors to pay for services; they are already traumatised. But we need resources to provide free medical care, HIV and infection tests, counselling, legal support, and shelter for those whose lives are at risk,” she explained. “The police struggle with logistics to visit crime scenes, and the Ministry of Justice struggles with transportation to court. The centre urgently needs a dedicated budget line to sustain its operations.”
In his remarks, Director General of the Benue International Cooperation and Development (BICD), Mr Leo Viashima, also noted the high level of GBV cases in the state but said, Governor Alia had strengthed SARC to curb the menace and for survivors to get justice
Chairperson of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) in Benue State, Hajiya Hauwa Isah, decried alarming incidents in her Kwararafa quarters neighbourhood in Makurdi.
“Recently, a father impregnated his daughter in my area and the matter was reported to the police. Just last week, another father did the same, but fled before he could be arrested,” she said, expressing optimism that the SARC’s intervention would curb such crimes.
Legal Officer for the GBV project, Barrister Beatrice Kandeor, confirmed that several GBV cases had been won in court, with others still pending. She stressed the need for survivors and witnesses to speak out.
“It is only when people report that perpetrators can be arrested, prosecuted, and survivors get justice,” she urged.
Also speaking, the Zonal Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Makurdi, Mrs Gloria Bai, assured that the agency would intensify coordination with other bodies to address GBV, especially cases involving minors being lured and exploited sexually.
The meeting also discussed ways to deepen engagement with traditional and religious leaders in rural communities and link primary health care facilities with gender desk officers and the police in local government areas to improve reporting and response.
