Group demands Otti’s commitment towards strengthening structures for GBV Survivors’ Protection in Abia

Kenechukwu Ofomah

Awka

As the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is marked globally, the Abia State Government has been advised to act decisively in strengthening the structures that protect survivors and enforce justice.

The advice is coming from a rights group, the Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS), as the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence commences globally.

This year’s celebration focuses on digital violence, as societies increasingly move online, with women and girls facing new forms of abuse such as cyber-harassment, non-consensual sharing of images, doxxing, AI-generated deepfakes, and more. 

According to a statement from the Executive Director of CEHRAWS, Comrade Chuka Okoye, in Nigeria and especially in Abia State, many survivors lack access to legal remedies or support systems tailored to digital abuse. 

He expressed the group’s concern over the persistent and rising cases of sexual- and gender-based violence (SGBV) throughout Abia State, worrying that the lack of coordinated support and justice infrastructure continues to harm survivors and erode trust in institutions.

The CEHRAW boss demanded that the state government re-activates the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, SGBV Response Team, as multi-sectoral platform, essential for coordinated case management, survivor referrals, emergency response, and inter-agency communication.

He also called for the strengthening of the Gender Desk at the State CID, the deployment of trained investigators with trauma-informed skills, equipping of the desk with mobility, forensic and interview tools, and safe, private spaces for survivors, as well as establishment of follow-up mechanisms so survivors are not abandoned after the first report.

Okoye also called for investment in capacity-building for frontline responders, including civil society organisations, community responders, police, health workers, and traditional or religious leaders, and increased public awareness campaign to demystify the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law. 

“The government must also engage men and boys as allies in prevention, encourage them to reject violent norms, speak out against abuse, and model respectful behavior in both physical and digital spaces. There is also the need to support community initiatives that foster accountability and non-violent masculinities.

“We also demand that the state government explores establishing a dedicated State Commission or Ministry for GBV, following the example of other Nigerian states like Lagos and Enugu. Such an entity would centralise leadership, streamline coordination, attract funding, and drive long-term prevention and response strategies.

“We believe this is important, because for survivors, every moment of inaction is a missed opportunity for healing, justice, and protection. For society, impunity corrodes trust and unity. For Abia State’s future, ensuring safety for all citizens, especially women and girls, is non-negotiable.

“CEHRAWS affirms that the fight against GBV must move beyond awareness to real, institutional transformation. On this International Day, we urge all stakeholders; government, civil society, technology platforms, traditional leaders, and everyday citizens, to unite in ending violence against women, including in the digital sphere,” Okoye posited.