GBV: Essien Udim First Lady Bags Excellence Award
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Mrs. Umoh Gabriel TonyUdoh, Wife of the Transition Chairman of Essien Udim, has been honoured with an Excellence Award by the Akwa Ibom State Gender-Based Violence Management Committee.
The Chairman’s wife was presented with the award on Friday, 28th June, 2024, at a Dinner and Award Night marking the end of the month-long GBV sensitization campaign in Akwa Ibom State.
Receiving the award, the First Lady of Essien Udim expressed gratitude to the GBV Management Committee for recognizing the efforts of the Essien Udim GBV Response Unit in combating Gender-Based Violence in the area. She also thanked her husband, Dr. Anthony Luke, Transition Chairman of Essien Udim for his unwavering support and cooperation.
She dedicated the award to the survivours of Gender-Based Violence in Essien Udim and praised the members of GBV Response Unit Essien Udim for their dedication and hard work in prosecuting the fight against GBV.
Recall that Dr. Umoh Gabriel TonyUdoh has made substantial contributions to the GBV campaign over the past three years. She has been instrumental in ensuring that perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence in Essien Udim are brought to justice. Her efforts include intervening in rape and child abuse cases, facilitating the arrest of suspects and ensuring they are handed over to the relevant authorities. She has also played a pivotal role in rehabilitating victims by visiting them in hospitals and covering their medical expenses.
This award to Dr. Mrs. Umoh Gabriel TonyUdoh is a testament to her tireless efforts and dedication to the cause of fighting Gender-Based Violence, and it underscores the importance of continued support and advocacy in this critical area.
The Essien Udim Gender-Based Violence Response Unit was also recognized for its role in raising awareness and combating GBV in the local government area.
Barr. (Mrs.) Emem Ette, Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State Gender-Based Violence Committee, presented the award to Dr. (Mrs.) Umoh Gabriel TonyUdoh. She commended her for leading the GBV campaign in Essien Udim over the past three years and described the Essien Udim Response Unit as the most responsive in the state. She urged the Chairman’s wife and the local GBV Response Unit to continue their efforts in creating awareness and exposing perpetrators.
In her address, Barr. Ette noted that 321 Gender-Based Violence cases, including 120 rape cases were recorded in Akwa Ibom State within 11 months, from January to November 2023. She highlighted that an average of 10 rape cases were reported each month with the highest number, 18, occurring in May followed by June and July, with 14 cases each. She added that 53% of GBV cases involved spousal battery.
Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, wife of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, commended the committee for their relentless efforts in spreading the GBV message across the state and prosecuting offenders.
The Governor’s wife who was represented by the member representing Oron/Odungukor State Constituency, Hon. (Mrs) Kenim Onofiok pledged to sustain the GBV campaign in Akwa Ibom andh warned perpetrators to desist from such acts or face the full weight of the law..
