... trains universities, police gender desk officers on effective response
By Prisca Nguzo
A feminist organization that focuses on human rights, gender equality, peace and sustainable development, Alliances for African (AfA), on Wednesday, July 16, advocated for the establishment of a standard Sexual Assault Referral Center (SARC) in Imo State to aid the effective response to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
The Executive Director of AfA, Iheoma Obibi, emphasized the importance of the SARC during a One-day Linkage Workshop organized by AfA and supported by Co-Impact for Gender Desk Officers of the Nigerian Police Force, Imo State Command and Centres for Gender Studies of the Imo State University and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
She observed that systemic change work of such nature cannot be achieved without necessary facilities and approaches.
"The reality is that the fronline desk officers are struggling, facing challenges because Imo State does not have functional Sexual Assault Referral Center unlike in other states," AfA Executive Director, stated, calling for one.
Obibi, noted that the workshop became necessary towards providing linkages, as well as fostering collaborations among the critical stakeholders to effectively address sexual harassments in tertiary institutions in the state, the target of the event. According to her, achieving the objectives would help to ensure justice and safety for learners in various institutions, as she tasked trainees on efficiency.
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Also speaking, the AfA Board Secretary and the Head, Department of Political Science, IMSU, Prof. Samuel Ezeanyika, noted that the workshop would help to build human capital among the participants to function effectively, adding that SGBV, if not addressed adequately would affect the society adversely.
In his keynote address, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, described sexual harassments as "one of the most pervasive threats within the institutions," adding that the deeply troubling issue "affects the physical, psychological, and emotional well-being of students and staff, particularly young women," in addition of eroding the integrity of academic system.
Represented by the Head, Gender Unit, SP Ezeudeogu Ifeyinwa, the Imo police boss, highlighted his Command's efforts in addressing SGBV in the state, while reaffirming the commitment of the police towards partnering with stakeholders in achieving safer academic communities. He commended AfA for the workshop and its strategic roles, urging stakeholders to ensure that the menace was rooted out.
Conducting the training, Mrs. Juliet Olumuyiwa-Rufai, regretted that sexual harassments and other forms of gender-based violence leave victims (survivors) with various problems associated with their traumatic experiences. She blamed obstructions to justice and levity to the worsening cases of SGBV in the society, insisting that offenders should always be punished to deter others.
She told the trainees that the workshop was to sensitize and impact them the knowledge, skills and effective approaches in arresting the challenge, including the need to enhance coordinations among the stakeholders. To be efficient, Olumuyiwa-Rufai, encouraged participants to always ensure respect, creativity, empathy, confidentiality, safety and assurance for justice for survivors, but urged against discrimination and blaming.
Adopting best practices, she said, will lead ultimately to justice, and encourage other survivors to speak out. The resource person also enjoined the trainees to leverage Multi-Sectoral Approach, while being firm in seeking justice for survivors. She urged them to be armed with the knowledge of relevant laws relating to SGBV, including the Imo State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law 2021.
Meanwhile, some of the trainees reacted. Rev. Sr. Dr. Kate Ekwe from the Imo State University, said that the workshop delivered the knowledge for improvement and opportunity for linkages, while ASP Iroka Ifeanyi from the police, disclosed that desk officers from the Command were better enlightened towards building trust and enabling atmosphere for positive and results-oriented encounters with SGBV survivors.
The high point of the workshop was a demonstration session witnessed by dignitaries in attendance, including a former Imo State lawmaker, Hon. Mrs. Uju Onwudiwe among others.
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