16 days of activism: EU, UN urge FG to create safe havens for SGBV survivors

The European Union (EU) has urged the federal government to make adequate budgetary allocations to provide safe places for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

Samuela Isopi, EU ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), spoke in Abuja on Friday at a parliamentary summit to mark the 16 days of activism against SGBV.

The summit was organised by the EU-funded rule of law and anti-corruption (RoLAC Phase II) programme of International IDEA, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the EU-UN spotlight initiative.

Isopi said the limited investments in the implementation of the violence against persons prohibition (VAPP) law, have further traumatised SGBV survivors.

“I would like to make an urgent appeal to the national assembly here to strengthen oversight on the implementation of the VAPP law so that survivors can access the services they need or ensure the effective prosecution of offenders,” the ambassador said.

“A challenge is the funding of line ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) responsible for the provision of SGBV services. Dedicated budgetary allocation is needed to create more sexual assault referral centres and more shelters to provide safe havens for victims in immediate danger of  harm or death.”

Isopi also called for more medical facilities that are sensitive to the needs of vulnerable survivors.

Simon Ridley, UNDP resident representative in Nigeria, said the legislature has an important role to play in ensuring that institutions that attend to gender-based violence are properly funded.

Ridley assured that the UN would provide the necessary support needed to eradicate the challenge.

BEN KALU ASKS NASS TO STRENGTHEN JUDICIAL SYSTEM TO SUPPORT SGBV SURVIVORS

Also speaking, Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the house of erpresentatives, urged lawmakers to utilise their power to strengthen judicial systems needed to prosecute SGBV perpetrators.

Kalu expressed concern over the rising statistics of violence against women, saying data collated on SGBV from the national situation dashboard housed by the ministry of women affairs showed an exponential increase.

He noted that from August 19, 2020, to November 23, 2023, as many as 28,428 cases were reported, with less than 450 convictions across the country.

Kalu added that approximately 30 percent of Nigerian women and girls experience physical, emotional, or sexual abuse in their lifetimes.

The deputy speaker said a distressing 55 percent of survivors do not receive the support they urgently need.

“As parliamentarians, we have the unique role to legislate, allocate funds, and hold the executive branch accountable for the implementation of laws and policies that prevent and address gender-based violence,” he said.

“We must utilize this power to its fullest extent, ensuring that sufficient resources are allocated to support survivors, raise awareness, and provide the necessary training and capacity building for law enforcement agencies and judicial systems.

“The renewed commitment of parliamentarians to the effective implementation of the VAPP Act is evident in the revitalized oversight and funding efforts that will emanate from this summit.

“The need for parliamentary work to be responsive and proactive in addressing gender-based violence is now more important than ever, so we therefore implore this summit to set a target for parliamentarians to work with and we are waiting for your feedback.”

Kalu urged his counterparts to use the global activism days as a call to action in using legislative action that will shape a future where women and girls live free from fear and violence.