From Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, Mr Victor Atuchukwu, has raised concerns over the abuse of displaced girls and women in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.
Mr. Atuchukwu raised the concern at a meeting convened by the JASPI Health and Gender Development Initiative in collaboration with UNICEF to plan and agree on priorities for preventing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) on Friday in Makurdi, Benue State.
“Gender-based violence target individuals because of their gender, while sexual exploitation involves abusing the vulnerable by those in positions of power or trust for sexual or financial gain”, he explained.
The Officer-in-Charge of the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Centre at the Benue Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Hafsat Ayavga, imlpored visitors to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps against dressing flamboyantly when visiting the camps.
“Visitors to the camps must appear to be empathetic, humble, and as equals rather than as charity cases. This has been creating discomfort and reinforcing social divides among the vulnerable people. We should treat them as same humans. No discrimination. Avoid stereotype, not shouting when they bring issues to you,” she urged.
Meanwhile, the Director of Women Affairs, Mrs Magdalene Andor, stressed the need for ongoing sensitization campaigns to curb SGBV, adding that the problem is not confined to rural communities.
“SGBV is not only in the villages. It is rampant here in Makurdi, the state capital. I appeal for consistent community outreach and engagements,” Andor said.
Also, the Director of Public Prosecutions at the Ministry of Justice, Barr Maureen Igyor, reaffirmed that once a case of sexual violence reached the ministry, it cannot be withdrawn, even if complainants or witnesses lose interest.
“Even if they abandon it, the oconfessional statements and the police witness can sustain prosecution so that offenders must face justice to deter others,” she explained.
The Executive Director of JASPI, Mrs Patricia Suswam, noted that her organisation partnered with UNICEF to strengthen coordination among ministries and agencies in addressing SGBV in Benue State.
“The main focus is to protect IDP communities and ensure that government take decisive measures to tackle it. There are unacceptable rising cases of gender-based violence in displacement camps across the state”, she emphasized.
