From Onoriode Etatsemi, Asaba
A non-governmental organisation in Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN), in collaboration with the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, and other critical stakeholders, have called on traditional rulers in the state to contribute their quota in tackling Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Gender Human Rights (GHR) issues.
Speaking during an advocacy visit to the State Traditional Rulers Council, the Delta State Chairman of ACOMIN, Pastor Gregory Sifo, said that as custodians of culture and traditions, there was strong need for them to continue to promote positive cultural values and condemn harmful cultural practises in their domains.
Sifo, who noted that every individual deserves dignity, respect and protection, said that the issues of GBV/GHR had been one of the challenges militating against the society, hence there is need for collective efforts in fighting against this menace.
While urging the traditional rulers to support the awareness campaigns on GBV/GHR, and strive towards protecting vulnerable groups by establishing community committees to monitor and protect women, children, widows, and persons with disabilities, Sifo told them that most of the survivors of GBV/GHR do not have safe homes to stay.
Sifo highlighted the effects of GBV and GHR on society to include: destruction of families, physical/mental health, economic loss , increase in crimes and social instability, as well as violation of human rights, among others.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Mrs Kevwe Agas, said that society and government must prioritise the protection of women and the vulnerable persons, especially the children.
Agas clarified that even the unborn child also needs to be protected, adding that once a person is not safe, the person would be endangered, just as she reminded the traditional rulers that under the Violence Against Persons Procedures (VAPP) Law, GBV matters were criminals cases and not civil, and as such, it is not something that could be settled at their level, but should be reported to the law enforcement agencies for appropriate investigations and prosecution measures.
She explained that it was imperative for them to review some of their cultural/ traditions practises, and even festivals, particularly their traditions on widowhood that may cause unnecessary adverse effects to the women.
The GBV desk officer from the Delta State Police Command, CSP Solomon Nwokolo, said that GBV was a serious offense that had appropriate punishment by law, even as he encouraged the traditional rulers to refer GBV issues to the Police instead of settlement of such matters between the perpetrators and the survivors.
Nwokolo said that community leaders should see the police as their partners in progress, stating that police would not treat any issues that have to do with GBV and GHR with levity.
In their separate remarks, the 1st Vice Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM S.P.L Kalanama VIII (JP), the Pere of Akugbene-mein, the 2nd Vice Chairman, HRM Agbogidi Henry Kikachukwu (JP), and the Obi of Ubuku-unor Kingdom reiterated that their primary responsibility was to ensure that there was peace in their respective communities.
They promised to escalate the campaign against GBV/GHR in their domains, and commended the group for their visit, emphasising that they were partners on issues bothering on GBV and protection of the survivors.
Partners on GBV/GHR protection, who accompanied ACOMIN officials and Women Affairs Permanent Secretary for the visit, were: the Executive Secretary of the Delta State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (DELSACA), Dr Rudolf Hobson, Mr Orobosa Idemudia, and Mrs Nonye Raymond-Agbala (all from the National Human Rights Commission), as well as the NEPWHAN State Coordinator, Mr Christopher Ogberetitinor.
