…Training Session at Okobo Divisional Police Station Aims to Enhance Skills and Support for Survivors
In a groundbreaking partnership, the Centre for Young People Development and Poverty Alleviation Initiative (CYDPAN) joined forces with the Akwa Ibom State Gender Based Violence Management Committee and the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Department of the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice. Their collaborative effort aimed to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement in responding to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases, with a focus on the Okobo Divisional Police Station.
During the comprehensive capacity-building session at the police station, Mr. Robert Boniface, the Program Manager of CYDPAN, underscored the gravity of sexual violence as a major public health issue and a violation of human rights. Highlighting the evolving nature of sexual violence in Akwa Ibom State, he emphasized its impact across all socio-economic levels and ethnic groups, noting its unfortunate normalization in the region.
Barrister Eno Jacob, representing the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Department of the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice, delivered a thorough lecture on the Legal Framework outlined in the VAPP Law and the Best Practices in Investigating SGBV Cases. She stressed the urgent need to address sexual violence and highlighted the VAPP Law as a pivotal tool in combating such cases. Meanwhile, Mrs. Mfoniso Isaiah, the Program Coordinator 1 at CYDPAN, provided essential insights on Victim Support Services to the law enforcement officers during her session, as her lecture serves as a significant contribution to strengthening the response to SGBV cases and promote a more empathetic and supportive environment for victims within law enforcement agencies.
In his response, DCO 1, DSP Sunday Edom, on behalf of DPO CSP Kelechi Amadi, expressed gratitude for the insightful lecture by CYDPAN and its partners. He acknowledged a significant challenge in changing community attitudes toward women’s rights as human rights, especially given existing power dynamics within gender relations. Despite potential resistance to change, particularly among those clinging to traditional views, he expressed optimism that the legal provisions in the VAPP Law would bolster their efforts and make combating SGBV less frustrating.
The collaboration between CYDPAN and the Akwa Ibom Agencies signifies a crucial step forward in addressing and preventing sexual and gender-based violence in the region. It underscores the importance of both legal frameworks and community engagement as essential elements in creating lasting change.
