Group shows how knowledge, empowerment, can help fight gender-based violence

As most social workers and security personnel admit rise in gender-based violence in Rivers State, suggestion has gone out calling for use of knowledge and empowerment to fight back.

This seems to have been demonstrated in some parts of Rivers State including Eleme town near Port Harcourt where some empowered women have successfully fought back with the weapons of knowledge when their children suffered abuse and violence even from the men or husbands.

Now, local authorities have been mobilsed to join the effort to stop sexual and gender-based violence in the Eleme axis of Rivers State.

In the first week of January, 2025, the Healthy Life Development Initiative (HELDi) team, accompanied by a diverse representation of Eleme LGA residents, conducted what is seen as a pivotal advocacy visit to the Eleme LGA chairman, the vice, and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO).

The delegation is said to include chiefs, adolescents, religious leaders (representatives from the Muslim community and the Christian Association of Nigeria), and regulators from agencies such as the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Ministry of Health, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Women, girls, and children are said to remain the most vulnerable to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), highlighting the urgency to act.

The advocacy visit was said to be a resounding success as all three decision-makers pledged their support for the establishment of an SGBV response team in Eleme. Notably, Brian Gokpa, the Eleme LGA chairman, has already allocated a temporary space for the anticipated team members, recognizing the alarming number of gender-based violence cases reported daily. This proactive step is said to demonstrate the community’s commitment to addressing SGBV comprehensively.

The positive outcomes of HELDi’s SGBV awareness engagements were said to be evident during the visit.

This is said to have brought to the fore a case involving a father who violently abused his son, an incident that was captured in a viral video by the boy’s mother. The mother was found to have been trained in HELDi’s awareness programme. It was gathered that her courage to record, report, and share the abuse was inspired by HELDi’s sensitization efforts, which encourage victims and witnesses to speak out, gather evidence, and seek help.

HELDi was said to have followed up the case. “This incident underscores how knowledge and empowerment can transform lives and highlights the need for continued sensitization on SGBV’, said Mfon C. Utin, HELDi Coordinator.

The DPO, Mary Umana, was said to have shared insights into the challenges faced by law enforcement in pursuing justice for SGBV cases. She noted instances where parents or caregivers failed to follow through after reporting cases, complicating efforts to hold perpetrators accountable.

She welcomed the initiative to establish the response team, expressing her full support and emphasizing its critical role in bridging gaps and supporting both survivors and law enforcement.

Umana also stressed the importance of publicizing success stories of prosecuted cases to encourage reporting and deter perpetrators.

Gokpa, the LGA boss, and TrustGod Appolos, the vice chairman, both expressed deep concern over the high incidence of SGBV in Eleme.

The chairman specifically referenced the case of the abused boy, noting how heartbreaking it was to watch the viral video.

He commended the mother’s courage to report the abuse, praised HELDi for its impactful activities, and assured his full support for the broader initiative to combat SGBV.

The vice chairman highlighted the alarming frequency of SGBV cases reported daily in Eleme and expressed gratitude for the project. She pledged unwavering support, emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address these issues.

Isreal Abbey and Patience Osaroejiji, community members, including representatives from various groups, expressed joy and enthusiasm for the initiative and their role in supporting the establishment of the SGBV response team.

They shared how HELDi’s previous awareness creation programmes such as the engagement during the ‘16 Days of Activism’, have already inspired grassroots action. Participants noted that they have begun sensitizing others in their communities, creating a ripple effect of change.

The collaborative approach adopted by HELDi ensures total ownership of the project by the community, as stipulated by the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law domesticated in Rivers State in 2019. This government-owned initiative continues to involve regulators and key stakeholders to sustain its impact.

Utin, the HELDi Coordinator, expressed profound gratitude to the Eleme LGA boss and his vice as well as the DPO, regulators, and community members for their unwavering support, commitment, and collaboration. They said the outcome was worth the resources and time invested.

Special appreciation was extended to sponsor, Rise Up, whose funding was said to have made the programme impactful. HELDi is said to be committed to driving meaningful change, empowering communities, and advocating for a society free from SGBV.

The successful advocacy visit to Eleme is seen as a testament to the power of collective action in addressing SGBV and fostering safer environments for all. Utin said; “Together, we can achieve a future where everyone can live free from violence and fear.”