The Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Path Initiative, (FEYReP) with support from the United Nations Population Fund, (UNFPA) has stepped up her fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Akwa Ibom State through a sensitization workshop aimed at strengthening grassroots efforts at ending the menace.
The sensitization targeting “Underserved coastal Communities, Reporting High Prevalent Cases of Gender-Based Violence”, took place at Esit Eket Local Government Area.
In her opening remarks, FEYReP Coordinator, Dr. (Mrs) Idorenyin Ekanem, thanked participants for turning up in large numbers for the event, reiterating that the objective of the workshop was to educate the public on effective strategies to eradicate GBV not only in the state but in Nigeria and the world at large.
Dr. Ekanem advised attendees to go beyond listening, urging them to become active advocates by speaking up, reporting cases, and supporting survivors, regardless of who the perpetrator may be. She decried the culture of silence often driven by fear of retaliation and emphasized that FEYReP treats all reported cases with confidentiality and provides continuous support to ensure justice is served. “Together let us be the catalyst for change, standing in solidarity with all those impacted by GBV “, she enthused.
She also appreciated the founder of FEYReP, Dr. (Mrs) Martha Udom Emmanuel, for her foresight, determination and always being at the forefront of the fight against GBV in the society and thanked UNFPA for their unwavering partnership and support.
The sensitization which had participants drawn from Community, women, youth, chiefs and religious leaders, featured papers presentation including: “Lending a Voice: A Collaborative Approach to Ending Gender-Based Violence ” by Lady Aniebiet-abasi Akpan . In her presentation, she observed that despite awareness created in schools, marketplaces, communities among others, cases of GBV still continued in the society and therefore called on the leaders to join hands with FEYReP and other NGO’s to fight the menace to a standstill.
Akpan enumerated some form of GBV to include: spousal battery, rape, sexual assault, child servitude, Female Genital Mutilation, Harmful widowhood practices and many more and called on the community leaders to report GBV cases to FEYReP who is ready to fight the cause for the abused, saying that VAPP LAW had been domesticated in the State to prosecute offenders.
She emphasized that survivors of such violence are usually traumatized and needs encouragement to move on in life. “We need to be a voice to the abused. There’s a need to visit the abused and encourage them. And there will be also need to reach out to support providers who will handle their cases with strict confidentiality “, she stated.
Others included talks on how survivors can seek help, receive rehabilitation and clinical care, and access referral centres for continued support, presented by Pastor Idorenyin Atti.
Atti frowned at situations where community members and even parents refuse to expose perpetrator of GBV for fear of intimidation, advising them to always report such cases to FEYReP who will take up the matter till the culprits are apprehended and the survivors are given adequate treatment for them to recover from the trauma. “These monsters have caused physical, emotional and psychological pains ( depression), thereby sending so many people to their untimely deaths ” He also gave FEYReP ‘s hot lines… 08065103607 and 08026469945. Once contacted, they would swing into action by giving the abused the necessary medical attention and ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to book.
The presenter cited Agape Centre located within Immanuel Hospital, Eket, Restoration Centre in General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene, Heartland Alliance, Able Damina Road, Osong Ama Estate, Uyo in Akwa Ibom State where survivors could get medical attention free of charge in order to treat and prevent them from contacting HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
On his part, the Village Head of Idung Anini Mma in Ekpene Obo, Esit Eket LGA, Obong Okon Umanah, lauded FEYReP for enhancing their understanding of Gender-Based Violence and equipping them to take meaningful action.
In thier separate responses , the woman leader, Mrs Aniedi Daniel appreciated the NGO and promised to create awareness among other women, adding that with the phone numbers given, she would know the appropriate quarters to report GBV cases in her community.
Also responding, the youth leader, Mr Uduak Samuel Edoho thanked the organisers for enlightenment and promised to step down same in his local community for them to enjoy peace.
