By Praise Chinecherem
Human rights organizations dedicated to the eradication of gender-based violence (GBV) have joined forces with various partners to advocate for justice for survivors of GBV in Anambra State.
The State Advocacy Team (SAT) of the Coalition of Civil Society Networks on AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, along with other network partners, recently conducted an advocacy visit to the State Coordinator of Child Protection Network (CPN) in Awka, the state capital.
The Team Lead, Mrs Ifenyinwa Unachukwu, who is also the Anambra State Coordinator of TB Network, highlighted the importance of the visit in raising awareness about the prevalence of GBV in the state.
According to her, the meeting aimed to build solidarity with partners and inspire others to join the fight against GBV to create a future free from violence and discrimination.
“Our goal is to establish support services for victims and survivors of GBV, challenge harmful societal norms that perpetuate violence, and promote gender equality and women’s rights,” she stated.
Mrs Unachukwu emphasized the various forms in which GBV presents itself, including domestic abuse, verbal aggression, physical violence, rape, forced early marriages, incest, female genital cutting, acid attacks, and even killings.
She stressed the need for strategic interventions to address GBV and other barriers faced by women and girls in society.
The State Program Officer, Onyekachi Ololo, earlier highlighted that TB Network being the lead Network of the ATM Networks in the state is committed to fighting GBV/GHR cases in the state.
He added that the network has shown commitment through the support of the Global Fund’s GF/NACA/C19RM/CSS Intervention to engage Case Managers who have been deployed for active case finding of GBV/GHR issues in the state.
State Coordinator of CPN, Mrs Eucharia Anaekwe expressed her appreciation for the visit and affirmed the organization’s full support for the fight against GBV.
“Child Protection Network (CPN) is fully committed to supporting efforts to combat GBV, especially when it involves children. We will work closely with the SAT to help achieve their objectives,” she assured.
Underscoring the importance of extending the collaboration to the state Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Anaekwe stressed their crucial role in creating society free from gender discrimination and violence.
