The Cross River State Government has concluded its statewide campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), calling for sustained grassroots action to tackle the menace and urging community leaders to drive prevention efforts across the state’s 18 local government areas.
The call was made at the closing ceremony of a capacity-building programme organised by the Office of the Wife of the Governor, where wives of the 18 local government council chairmen were trained on strategies for preventing and responding to Gender-Based Violence in their respective communities.
Addressing participants, the wife of the Cross River State governor, Bishop Eyoawan Bassey Otu, who was represented by the wife of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Virginia Ironbar, said the campaign would only achieve lasting impact if participants put the knowledge acquired into practical use.
“We must transform the knowledge acquired here into concrete action within our homes, communities, institutions, and local government areas,” she said.
She described Gender-Based Violence as “one of the greatest threats to the dignity, health, safety, and development of women, girls, men, and boys,” adding that it is sustained by “harmful social norms, unequal power relations, silence, stigma, and a lack of timely intervention.”
According to her, ending the scourge requires collective action from families, community leaders, institutions and government at all levels.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Edema Irem, urged the wives of the local government council chairmen to become visible champions in the fight against Gender-Based Violence.
“I urge you to become champions and advocates against Gender-Based Violence in your respective local government areas.
“Let your voices inspire change, your actions promote justice, and your leadership encourage survivors to seek help without fear or shame,” she said.
Irem also appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, women associations and the media to sustain public awareness campaigns on the causes, forms and consequences of Gender-Based Violence.
“I call on all stakeholders to intensify public awareness campaigns on the causes, forms, and consequences of Gender-Based Violence,” she said.
The commissioner stressed the need for stronger collaboration among government ministries, security agencies, the judiciary, healthcare providers, social services and development partners to ensure survivors receive timely, confidential and dignified support while perpetrators are brought to justice.
“Let’s close ranks across ministries, security, the judiciary, health, social services, and partners. Survivors deserve fast, confidential, dignified support. Perpetrators must face the law,” she said.
She added that “no survivor should suffer in silence, and no perpetrator should escape justice.”
Declaring the campaign closed, Irem described the training as the beginning of a renewed statewide movement against Gender-Based Violence.
“Let this training mark the beginning of a renewed movement across all 18 Local Government Areas of Cross River State. Together, we can prevent Gender-Based Violence and build a safer, more inclusive Cross River State where everyone can thrive in dignity and security,” she said.
