‘Access to justice for survivors of gender-based violence still a major challenge’

International Alert (IA) has said access to justice for survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV) is still a major challenge in Nigeria.

The IA Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Officer, Fatima Inusa, said this at a road walk and sensitisation campaign for over 100 members of Mararaban Rido community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna state in commemoration of the 2023 16 days of Activism against Gender Based Violence.

The programme, organised by IA and other partners, sensitised members of the community on how to assess justice in cases of GBV occurrence.

According to Fatima, “One of the gaps we have in GBV is access to justice. As we know, we have societal norms that promote or exacerbate the occurrence of GBV and that is why we felt the need to use the 16 days of activism to create awareness around access to justice and address barriers that limit women and girls from accessing justice in our communities and society in general.”

She maintained that IA is partnering with the Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) and Partners West Africa Nigeria to access free legal services for victims and survivors of GBV.

“We are also working with community leaders and security agencies to create referral pathways so that where there is an incident of GBV, communities are able to report to them so that they can get justice and also the survivors are treated with dignity,” she added.

Also, the Chairperson, Women Peace Empowerment Network (WOPEN), Chikun, Laura Wambai said because of the rising cases of insecurity being witnessed in the community, there has been a rise in the cases of GBV.

She hoped that the sensitisation will help the victims know the appropriate channels to lay their complaints.

The Assistant Program Officer, Partners West Africa Nigeria, Barrister Comfort Usman said one in every three women are likely to face violence in their lifetime and called on victims to speak up against GBV.

The Village Head of Mararaban Rido, Mr. Auta Alkali, said the sensitisation will in no small way address the cases of GBV in his community.

He, however, enjoined his citizens to report any case of GBV to the appropriate authorities and called on the government to address the issue of insecurity in the community.