Gender-based Violence: NAPTIP, GPSDC, WACOL, others Make Case for Shelters, Data in Anambra

By Praise Chinecherem

Stakeholders have called for establishment of shelters and harmonized data to assist in the fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Anambra state.

They said battle against GBV required shelters, data as well as trained counselors to be successfully won.

The stakeholders spoke in Awka at a 2 days GBV stakeholders consultative meeting organized by Gender Perspective and Social Development Center (GPSDC) with support from WACOL to harmonize data and create referrals pathway

Addressing participants, State Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Ibadin Judith-Chukwu said traumatized victims of violence could better be managed by trained counselors in a conducive shelter.

She however expressed concern over lack of such facilities in the state, calling for assistance from both government and individuals to make such facilities available in the state.

She said, “Fighting any form of violence in persons can’t be successful without shelters where victims can be kept for counselling and rehabilitation processes before being reunited to their families and reintegrated into the society.

“Most times these victims are rescued, they’re already traumatized. The first thing is not to jump into demanding statements from them.

“Rather, they needed to be taken to a shelter where they would be welcome and made to feel at home with the assistance of trained counselors who would walk them out of the trauma stage before the best can be gotten from them.

“Most times, statements from the victims on their first day of arrival might not be the exact statements they would give. They’ll only open up and feel at home after passing through the counseling processes.

“It will be unethical for a girl who had suffered rape, a woman coming out of abusive marriage or any other form of violence coming to make complaints to any agency handling such cases to be bombarded with questions.

“Ethics demand counseling first. That’s why shelter is vital. Anambra has done well in several other tools needed to fight violence, including sexual assault referral center at Enugwu-ukwu where victims are treated at no cost. That’s a very big plus, and we’re grateful to government for that.

“Besides, there are several private organizations and NGOs involved in this battle. But these are not enough. There must be shelters where victims can be properly taken care of to ensure the best is gotten from them.

“Experience has proved that without first handling the trauma, the victims won’t corporate due to fear of what is called primary and secondary victimization. These things are eliminated at the shelters.

“In Anambra, I can’t think of such facilities designated for victims of human trafficking or GBV. Without these shelters, these victims can’t be taken out of trauma.

“But this battle is not for the government alone. Individuals and corporate organizations can also establish shelters as long as they meet minimum required standards before approval. And I know there are several spirited individuals in the state that can be of assistance.

On harmonized data for GBV, which she said involved normination of individuals by organisations working in that area, NAPTIP boss said, “after normination of the ‘desk officers’, special trainings can be organized for them on how to generate or source for GBV data.

“Once the ministries take ownership and responsibility, it makes gathering of these data seamless since they already know who to meet. With this arrangement, strong data base is guaranteed.”

Earlier, Executive Director, Gender Perspective and Social Development Center (GPSDC), Anekwe Eucharia said the project was focused on empowering christian women and female leaders of culture for prevention and response to GBV in Nigeria through the strengthening of grassroots organisations

She listed objectives of the engagement to include reviewing how different stakeholders currently collect and report GBV data in the State, identifying existing gaps and overlaps, as well as finding ways to strengthen referral linkages and to create a referral directory.

“We also aim to agree on a common framework to harmonizing all GBV data at the same time build stronger collaboration and accountability among MDAs, networks, and organizations working on GBV response,” she added.

Representatives of Ministries of Justice, Women and Social Welfare, State Bureau of Statistics, Anambra State Aids Control Agency (ANSACA), NPF, NSCDC, NHRC, Red Cross and CSO Networks commended GPSDC for organising the workshop, pledging their support to the project.