A Civil Society group, Invictus Africa has launched “Orange Pages”, a directory of Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) responders and service providers in Nigeria.
The directory according to the Organization is to help first responders of sexual Gender Based Violence and is being developed under the PAS model.
Speaking at the official launch which took place in Abuja, the Executive Director of Invictus Africa Bukky Shonibare stated the model was developed and completed in August last year although the official launch is taking place this year.
She stated that the discourse on gender based Violence has become a very pertinent discourse and encouraged stakeholders to work together in curbing the occurrences of GBV in Nigeria.
Giving her keynote address, the wife of Ekiti State governor, Mrs. Erelu Bisi Fayemi stated that the menace of gender based violence can only be achieved if there is collaboration among stakeholders.
Her words: “The issues of Sexual Gender Based Violence has become a personal one and that is why we as wives of governors have now made it our flagship program named Nigerian Governors Forum Wives against Gender Based Violence.
“We had written to the Governors Forum to declare a state of emergency against Gender Based Violence and they obliged, which is why as at June 2020 when the Act was enacted, we had 15 states that subscribed, but today we have 27 states.
“Also, we have increased the Number of sexual assault referral centres and must do everything possible to involve the communities in ensuring that we achieve our target in this fight against SBGV,”
She expressed the readiness of Ekiti State to implementing the orange pages directory.
Also in his remarks, the country director of Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), Mr. Jude Ilo said for the country to respond to SBGV “It will require a holistic approach which is why it developed the Prevention, Accountability and Support (PAS) model to ensure the goal is achieved,”
Mr. Ilo added that government at the centre are now recognizing the need to tackle GBV which is why it had set up a national panel of enquiry on GBV in order to probe offenders.
Making his contributions, The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Anthony Ojukwu affirmed that the response to Gender Based Violence has changed due to the efforts being made federal and states governments.
“We started this action on SBGV in our 36 states offices and we have realized that one major solution in solving the problem of gender based Violence is the need to empower and support women in all ramifications because sometimes poverty makes it difficult for victims to even speak.” He said.
Similarly, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Rule of Law Dr. Fatima Waziri Azi reiterated the commitment of the federal government in ensuring that SGBV is reduced to the minimum.
The Azi who represented the vice president also stated her office are working with stakeholders, CSOs and donor Organization in advancing the cause of Gender Based Violence.
