The Gender Perspective and Social Development Centre (GPSDS) on Tuesday urged Gov.Chukwuma Soludo to establish taskforce to tackle the upsurge of gender based violence (GBV) in the state.
Mrs Eucharia Anekwe, Executive Director, GPSDC, made the call in Awka at a consultative meeting with Nwayibuife Women Advocacy Team and law enforcement partners on gender-based violence.
The forum was supported by Nigerian Women Trust Fund and Ford Foundation.
Anekwe expressed worried that GBV kept increasing in the state inspite all efforts to stem the tide.
She said that establishing a state-based taskforce would reduce the rate of gender-based violence in the state.
“Violence and harmful practices against women and girls happen every day in Anambra, and most of the time they are not reported because there is no state-owned taskforce handling such cases.
“States like Lagos, Delta, Enugu and others have established taskforce to address gender-based violence. We do not have such in Anambra.
“We are appealing to Gov. Soludo to replicate same. This state established taskforce will map out compensation for victims in terms judicial and medical intervention as well as shelter and rehabilitation for victims.
“The state government will ensure that there is a budgetary allocation to help the taskforce operate optimally in the state, ” she said.
Anekwe said that the taskforce would also work with law enforcement agencies to ensure quick access to justice in GBV cases.
She said the taskforce would be responsible for organising massive sensitisation against GBV and create awareness of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPP)
According to her, the VAPP Law will give more confidence to survivors to report cases.
In his remarks, Dr Ego Uzozie, society, former state’s Commissioner for Social Welfare, Children’s and Women’s Affairs, said there should be advocacy visits to the concerned authorities