The Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Justice Network has advocated for the effective activation and implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition, (VAPP) law and Administration of criminal justice Law (ACJL) across the six project states.

They made the call at a multi-stakeholders meeting on the access to justice for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, (SGBV) survivors in Enugu State.

The Coordinator, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Justice Network, Miss. Margaret Obiegue said that the essence of the meeting was to develop community -driven solutions that will guide citizens’ unfettered access to justice for SGBV survivors and victims’ without impediments, and to sensitize participants on the rights of an abused person and available mechanisms for redress from within the court.

As part of the activities to mark sixteen days activism this year, Miss Margaret also noted that she was optimistic that by the end of the forum, a clear road map would be produce for all stakeholders to use in the fight against SGBV.

She further outlined SJN advocacy to include; Full Implementation of the VAPP LAW, Review of the VAPP law, designation of special court to try rape cases, provision of a budget line for the smooth operation of the SARC, Expansion of jurisdiction to magistrate to try rape cases and engagement of private sectors towards ensuring the functionality of the SARC.

The Deputy Director of the Civil Litigation Department, Ministry of Justice Enugu State, Barr. Uzoamaka Okeji called for increased awareness on issue concerning violence against the girl child and urged victims of such violence to speak up and seek justice. According to her “I will lead a group of this forum to pay a visit to the CJ to assign a judge to try SGBV Cases. I will liaise with the AG and the DPP of ministry of justice to charge SGBV Cases under the VAPP Law.”

The State President, National Council of Women Society Enugu State, Lady Anthonia Chichi Ogbu, said there is urgent need to the effective implementation of the Violence against Persons Prohibition law and its benefit.

The Chairperson, the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ, Comrade Ngozi Ngene appealed to media practitioners across the country to increase advocacy against gender-based violence to sustain the gains already achieved in the fight.

She said “I want the media to be at the fore front of this fight so that we can achieve a better society for all. Sexual and Gender Based Violence has really dealt with women and girls in our communities and its high time we collaborate efforts to nip it to the bud, when we play advocacy role we should, the rate of such abuse would calm to a minimal”.

For Mr Onyebuchi Mba, Chairman of JONAPED Enugu chapter “poverty is one of the major impediments to the success of these laws and omen must have to be empowered so they can avert it”

Our correspondent who reports that there was a dialogue section on the impediments to accessing justice by victims and the development of community-driven solutions to the course also said that stakeholders present at the forum came up with community -driven solutions that included proper family values, doing away with some culture that obstruct justice, sensitization and training of police lawyers, magistrates with other relevant agencies and MDAs on VAPP Law.

Others are advocacy to community leaders, religious leaders, schools and other relevant stakeholders with youth’s empowerment and establishment of SGBV Units at different schools and government hospitals.