Bukola Afeni
The Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria, Dolapo Osinbajo has emphasized the need for all Nigerians to give adequate support to survivors of gender-based violence in Nigeria.
She added that survivors should not be castigated but given necessary moral and utmost support to become better individuals in life irrespective of what they have passed through in life.
The Wife of the President stated this at the 37th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference Of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN).
Speaking further she said there is a need to ensure that survivors have a network of support that will be a source of succour to them so they can pull through the low moment in their lives.
She advised development organizations to provide useful life skills that will enable survivors to be able to cater to their needs.
Ulla Mueller Country Rep UNFPA, who represented Edward Kallon UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, said there is a need for coordinated action so that women’s voices will not be silenced in the country.
She added that there is an urgent need to address the root cause of Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria.
“The root cause of gender-based violence in the country has to be established to make meaningful progress. The number of cases must be reduced drastically.
She said health care professional plays critical role in providing a formidable support system to survivors of Gender-Based Violence while adding that they should not relent in the good work they are doing.
” We will continue to meet with medical and health personnel to support the survivors of gender-based violence. They are very instrumental in supporting women who have been battered previously”.
The Outgoing Chairman of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria(APHAN) Prof. Benjamin Uzochukwu called on the federal and state governments to strengthen law enforcement around gender-based violence issues.
“We want states that are yet to adopt the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act and Child Rights Acts to do so without further delay. We want women and girls to be properly protected from all forms of violence”.
“We want everyone to know that violence against women will no longer be accepted in Nigeria. We want survivors from different parts of the country to get the necessary support services to make life easier for them”.
