IGNORANCE IS A MAJOR TRIGGER FOR GENDER BASED VIOLENCE — NHRC

REPORTER: ALFRED AJAYI

The Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Anambra State, Mr. Obinna Maduforo, has expressed regret over the rising cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the area.

Mr. Maduforo, who made this known in Akwa during a one-day round table on GBV against women and girls, attributed the development to various factors, including ignorance of the law.

He appealed to participants to assist the commission in spreading the message of the event across their spheres of influence.

“We receive average of two complaints per day bothering on gender based violence. Help us spread awareness towards stopping impunity against women and girls.

“We must make the society appreciate the fact that this culture must not continue. We have called you today to join forces with us. Let people know that these are criminal offences and if caught, they will go to jail,” NHRC Coordinator warned.

During the interactive session, participants, who drawn from different government and non governmental organizations, called for strong synergy to reduce incidents of Gender Based Violence to the barest minimum.

The participants were of the view that efforts aimed at reducing GBV incidents must be holistic and comprehensive.

They also identified strict enforcement of the law as critical to successful battle against GBV.

“NHRC should be more visible in Anambra State,” one of them said.

The people unanimously agreed to the need to intensify education and sensitization campaign against the scourge, which had claimed several lives across the state and the country at large.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU