Cross River Govt, Partners Deepen Collaboration to Tackle Gender-Based Violence
By Ekanem Asuquo
The Cross River State Government has renewed its commitment to working with critical stakeholders in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV), child trafficking, teenage pregnancy, and other harmful practices threatening women and children.
The pledge was made by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Edema Irom, during a review meeting with development partners in Calabar.
Irom applauded the synergy between the ministry and its partners, noting that the collaboration has broken barriers and expanded the campaign against gender inequalities. She emphasized that the Otu-led administration is determined to create a safer and more enabling environment for women, girls, and other vulnerable groups.
“Our joint efforts have gone a long way in addressing GBV and harmful cultural practices that undermine the dignity of women and the girl child. While we have made progress, the statistics remain disturbing and call for intensified efforts,” she said.
The wife of the State Commissioner of Police and Chairperson of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Mrs. Linda Afebua, Esq., assured that she would use her platform to drive prompt police response to cases of GBV, rape, and child abuse. She condemned the rising trend of witchcraft branding of children and human trafficking, describing them as crimes that society must urgently confront. “We cannot continue to watch these abuses thrive. It is our collective duty to rise to the challenge,” she stated.
Human rights lawyer, James Ibor, Esq., of the Basic Rights Council Initiative, highlighted weak law enforcement as a major obstacle in the fight against GBV and other harmful practices.
He urged government institutions to strengthen implementation and step up community enlightenment, warning that “laws will remain mere words on paper unless enforced.”
The Ministry of Women Affairs disclosed that, in collaboration with partners, it has introduced community guidelines to combat GBV, safeguard inheritance rights for women, and protect children from exploitation in Akamkpa, Boki, and Yala local government areas.
Adding a political perspective, Rev. Dr. Vicky Emah Inah of the Neighborhood Care Foundation described the Reserved Seat Bill currently before the National Assembly as “a bold initiative to correct Nigeria’s gender imbalance in politics.”
She called on stakeholders to rally behind the bill, arguing that affirmative action of this nature would strengthen democracy and amplify women’s voices in governance.
The review meeting was attended by representatives of development agencies, NGOs, faith-based organizations, and community-based groups.
Stakeholders identified priority areas for upcoming collaborations, including the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the International Day of the Girl Child, and the Orange Band Initiative, which will feature in the 2025 edition of Carnival Calabar.
