The United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) Nigeria, in conjunction with Adamawa State government, other partners has developed a 2022-2025 “Call to Action’’ roadmap on Gender Based Violence (GBV) protection in the North East.
The Fund’s Country Representative, Mrs Ulla Mueller, made this known during Strategic Task Team Meeting for
developing the roadmap in Yola.
On her opening remarks while calling the meeting to order Ulla said the Call to action on protection from Gender – based violence in emergencies.
She appreciated the contributions of the participants and called on stakeholders to work hard to end the menace.
Ulla met Strategic task team in Yola and maintained that one in three women in Nigeria is exposed to GBV, and “the beauty of the roadmap is that it will be the yardstick for states, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and communities to develop a well strategic roadmap .
“It is a collaboration where we work with the police, Ministry of Justice and everyone to ensure access to justice in ending GBV.’’ Muller said
The meeting was chaired by HE Sune Krogstrup, the Danish Ambassador. He welcome members to the meeting and noted the importance of the work of the committee.
He said that Denmark takes the responsibility of serving as lead for the CtA with pride. He acknowledged that women and girls are most vulnerable in crisis situation and although much have been done much more still needs to be done.
He observed that government and development partners have been saying the right things for many years yet a rise in the incidence for GBV, now becoming alarming, is being observed.
He applauded the commitment Demonstrated by members of the leadership STT to act maximally noting their ability to deliver tangible results that will change lives and can be measured. He expressed his excitement to be part of the partnership and ended by enjoying all to get to work.
In her presentation, Hira Hashmey, UNFPA’s GBV Subsector Coordinator, said that the DNA Forensic Laboratory in Yola received 67 samples from GBV survivors in its quest to get justice for them.
She said that out of the number, 38 samples were analysed for rape, 33 were processed and three convictions achieved.
In her address, Mrs Mary Paninga, the Permanent Secretary, Adamawa Planning Commission, said the state government is committed to the fight against GBV.
She added that the government appreciates the efforts of UNFPA by providing the forensic Laboratory in the state.
According to her, plans are underway to have a technology-based method of data collection that can easily be accessed.
The Commissioner of Police (CP) in Adamawa, Mr Sikiru Akande, said that the police have evolved new strategy in dealing with GBV cases.
According to him, 10 women police officers have been trained to assist in accelerating access to justice for survivors of GBV.
