About two thousand, seven hundred and ninety eight (2,798) victims of Gender Based Violence GBV and one hundred and seventy nine (179) victims of sexual assaults cutting across 18 selected local government areas of Benue state have received various assistance, including psycho-social supports aimed at bringing them out of emotional and psychological trauma.
This was disclosed to newsmen by the focal person for GBV, Public Health Interactive APIN, Benue state Regional Office , Lucia Torjir during the 3rd Quarterly meeting for 2024 organised by Benue state Agency for the Control of Aids (BENSACA) in conjunction with NGOs and Donor partners held at the conference hall of Doo Palace Hotel in Makurdi.
She revealed the various intervention activities carried out by the organisation during the period under review which include providing psycho-social supports to 2,798 victims of physical and emotional violence and another supports for 175 victims of sexual assaults as well as the distribution of sanitary pads to Internally Displaced Persons, DPs cutting across the 18 local government areas of zone A,B and C senatorial Districts of the state.
Torjir further disclosed that, APIN also provided minimum care packages for victims including empowerment opportunities, health care services, tests, psychotherapy and access to legal aids, all aimed at reducing the impacts of trauma usually associated with victims of sexual assaults and gender based violence.
The focal person said, in partnership with the Catholic church, Makurdi diocese, APIN established Adolescent/Young People’s Hub (CAYP-HUB).
In his contribution, Dr Benjamin Mkena of Aids Healthcare Foundation AHF, stated that the foundation has built an all round health care centre equipped with standard facilities for the immediate medical attention for victims of gender based violence and sexual assaults in the state as well as other patients that may require services of the centre.
Dr Mkena further stated that, the wellness clinic which took off recently has over 500 clients on its record while efforts is being made to employ medical doctors, nurses and laboratory technicians which will go a long way in mitigating the cases of gender based violence in the state. He announced that, grant in this regard has been secured.
According to him, AHF is also implementing a programme know as Girls Action Programme to provide access to legal aids, testing of GBV and sexual assaults; and the recent distribution of sanitary pads to internally displaced persons, IDPs at various camps across the state to improve their personal hygiene and well being, with similar efforts deployed in establishing awareness clinic to sensitise members of the public on the danger of GBV and how victims can have access to justice
Speaking during the event, the Acting Executive Secretary, Benue State Action Committee on Aids (BENSACA) , Mr Titus Wanngo frowned at the renewed cases of gender based violence, GBV in the state and described the situation as alarming as reports are now being received on daily basis.
He called on participants and partners to scale up their efforts to sustain the fight against HIV/AIDS, TB, GBV with the aim of eradicating them especially sexual assaults and stigmatization against people living with Aids.
Mr Wango vowed to use all available offices and legal options where necessary to prosecute those perpetuating this inhuman acts and urged participants and partners to report such cases to his office for immediate action.
He appealed for synergy among partners to create robust and all inclusive participation as the fight against HIV/AIDS, GBV, sexual assault can easily be won through collaboration. “we must all put our hands on deck to achieve the goal of a better and peaceful society, free of stigmatization, violence and abuses”
Other partners who spoke during the occasion include chairperson of Jama’atu Nasil Islam, JNI); coalition of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN and other faith based NGO; National Human Rights Commission, NHRC; the Nigeria police, Benue state command; NSCDC, ministry of justice, FIDA, Red AID, ORKA among other partners.
