By Josiah Egbilika
The Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD) has collaborated with River State Agencies and Civil Society Organizations in a bid to actualize a State Framework to strengthen the implementation of The Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law in Rivers State.
CEHRD partnered with Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Rivers State Ministry of Women Affairs and Rivers State Ministry of Health.
Others are: Rivers State Response Team Against Violence Against Women and Girls, Gender And Development Action (GADA) and Centre for Basic Rights, Accountability and Protection.
Through the partnership, CEHRD Advocacy Project Advisory Network (CAPAN), was set up. The Network will be led by Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation with the aim to produce the Framework which will become Standard of Operation guiding the roles of all stakeholders working on Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the State.
Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD) Project Lead for Strengthening the Implementation of VAPP Law in Rivers State, Mr. Josiah Egbilika revealed that there have been underlying conflict of roles amongst State Agencies and CSOs working on GBV in the State hence the need for all to be on the same page.
Mr Egbilika stated that if the State Framework is achieved, the woman on the street, Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders even Native Doctors and everyone in the society will know what to do in the fight against Gender Based Violence.
Speaking further, South South Info Hub program manager, Gender And Development Action (GADA), Inyingi irimagha while applauding the initiative from CEHRD emphasized the need for conscious political commitment towards ending GBV in Rivers State.
She stated that more fund should be allocated to the fight against GBV, survivors should be taken care off and that with all stakeholders working in synergy, the menace will reduce dramatically.
The UNICEF Desk officer, Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mr. Iseberetonma Victor stated that the Ministry will coordinate all Stakeholders to ensure the State Framework is achieved.
The meeting which was organized by CEHRD with support funding from Rise Up Together ended with all parties committed towards the process to achieving the State Framework in a bid to strengthen VAPP Law in Rivers State.
During the meeting, CAPAN set the motion of the Framework drafting in place by listing other institutions in the State the network will engage with other stakeholders to facilitate speedy drafting of the Framework