C’River: Irom calls for dedication, commitment to fight GBV
The Cross River State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Edema Irom, has called on members of the state Taskforce on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to be more proactive and committed to their duties. The charge was given recently during the third quarter meeting of the Taskforce in Calabar.
During the meeting, Hon. Irom emphasized the importance of implementing partners, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders sending in their quarterly reports on GBV prevention and response to her Ministry. This is necessary for updating the data on the GBV dashboard of the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs.
The Commissioner commended the efforts of all GBV Implementing Partners, Civil Society Organizations, and other stakeholders in the state. She also mentioned that the Ministry has completed its 2024 budget, which adequately addresses GBV issues and other related contemporary issues.
Furthermore, Hon. Irom informed the attendees that her Ministry has been given a mandate for consumer protection rights. This highlights the need for collaboration in mass literacy campaigns, advocacy, and sensitization programs at the grassroots level.
The Commissioner called on all implementing partners, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to prepare themselves for the tasks ahead.
The task force meeting included a technical session where partners and stakeholders presented their reports. Some of the implementing partners mentioned were Doctors without Borders, Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, Heartland Alliance, Excellent Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS), and Center for Clinical Care and Clinical Research Nigeria (CCCRN).
The fight against gender-based violence is a crucial battle that requires time and the collective efforts of all stakeholders:
“I want to commend the efforts made so far in combating this menace. However, I want to highlight the importance of reporting to duty on time, as it plays a significant role in winning this fight together”
The Commissioner said, “I want to stress the need for early and timely filing of reports, as it enables quick response by agency partners. In any gender-based violence fight, early filing of reports is the key to success.
It allows for immediate action to be taken, ensuring the safety and well-being of victims. By reporting incidents promptly, the necessary support and intervention can be provided, preventing further harm and addressing the root causes of violence”
“To achieve these I want to call upon all stakeholders, including Civil Society Organizations and other partners, to rise to the occasion. Their active participation is crucial in sending quarterly reports, which are essential for updating the data dashboard of the Federated Ministry of Women Affairs”
“This data serves as a valuable resource in understanding the prevalence and patterns of gender-based violence, enabling policymakers to make informed decisions and allocate resources effectively”.
“Timely reporting reflects the urgency and seriousness with which this issue should be addressed. Gender-based violence is a pervasive problem that affects individuals, families, and communities”
“It is only through a coordinated and comprehensive approach that we can hope to eradicate this menace in our society, therefore reporting GBV incidents promptly, our agencies will not only respond quickly but we would ensure the safety of those victims” the commissioner emphasized.
