Stakeholders have called for more investment, collaboration and political will to prevent Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and access to justice for survivors.
They made the call Thursday in Abuja at a national dialogue organised by Agents for Citizen-Driven Transformation (ACT), in partnership with Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), funded by the EU in Abuja.
The dialogue, with the theme “Invest to Prevent VAWG” was part of activities to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Daily Trust reports that the activism is an annual international campaign that runs from Nov. 25, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women until Dec. 10, which is Human Rights Day.
It is a global initiative aimed at eliminating GBV by raising awareness about the devastating impact of violence on women and children, and the social fabric of the society.
Damilare Babalola, National Programme Manager, ACT, while highlighting the need for more investment and collaboration with other partners, urged participants to proffer lasting solutions to VAWG.
He said “the advocacy is that we must unite and bring funds to the table, which goes beyond the funding, it goes to commitment at the community level. Commitment to change traditional norms, situations and circumstances that do not favour women and girls in the areas of violence perpetrated against them.”
Mrs Josephine Piyo, Plateau State Deputy Governor, while reiterating commitment towards implementing laws to end VAWG, stressed the need for partnerships to ensure total elimination of the menace.
Hajiya Saudatu Mahdi, the Secretary General of WRAPA, said: “It is not enough for us to condemn VAWG, not enough to claim we want to support them without putting down money. We need to put money where our mouth is. So, the essence is to have people understand why they need to be deliberate about investing time, resources and any form of moral and financial material to prevent VAWG and support survivors by ensuring everyone takes responsibility.”
Eze Onyekpere, the Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice, said: “We have laws and policies to prevent VAWG and indeed all persons, and for it to be implemented, resources must be put into various Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) that are charged with different tasks.”
Rukaiyat Shittu, member, Kwara House of Assembly, said: “We should have more legislation and policies about gender parity, and violence will reduce.’’
Wynyfred Achu-Egbuson, Programme Manager, CSO, Youth and Human Rights, argued that, “Government needs to be creative, identify partnerships, and also collaborations because government funding is the surest source of funding towards ending.
