By Josiah Egbilika
In her effort to seek for collaboration with Rivers State Government to produce a Framework towards the implementation of the Rivers State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, the Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD) on June 17 continued her consultative visit to Rivers State Ministry of Women Affairs in Port Harcourt.
The visit was to seek for the Ministry to be part of the drivers of her advocacy project in a bid to “Strengthen the implementation of Rivers State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (2020)”.
Speaking during the visit, the Project Lead, Mr. Josiah Egbilika revealed that CEHRD’s research has shown that some actors working on Gender Based Violence do not understand what their duties are, noting that this has created some frictions amongst the actors which has not been healthy for all.
He explained that the project which seeks to strengthen collaborative efforts from the community to State institutions in a bid to reduce the violence against persons especially women and girls in Rivers State, purposes to seek for approval for a working guide for Rivers State VAPP Law.
The Director of Administration, Ministry of Women Affairs, representing the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Women Affairs, Mr. Georgewill Otto appreciated CEHRD for such an initiative noting that there is a need for all actors to know and understand their responsibilities in the fight against GBV in the State
Mr. Otto stated that the Ministry will support CEHRD and collaborate with all Stakeholders to ensure the framework is achieved, noting that it will reduce the duplicity of work currently experienced amongst actors working on GBV.
Meanwhile, the Head of Human Rights and Governance, Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD), Miss Queen Agba, had earlier stated that the Ministry and CEHRD have enjoyed a wonderful working partnership over the years, requesting for such collaboration to continue, noting that it will aid success towards the fight against GBV.
The visit ended on a positive note with CEHRD assured of a robust synergy between the Rivers State Ministry of Women Affairs and other Key Stakeholders working on GBV.
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