In time of abuse victims should feel free to report to the center which has its police officers to assist in arrest and possible prosecution
By Austin Angwe, Makurdi
Participants at a two- day capacity building workshop to equip Adolescent Girls and Young Women, AGYW, engaged in sex work occupation in Benue State with Legal and Health Rights awareness have been assured of adequate support by Government to ensure that they and other vulnerable population in the state do not suffer sexual violence or other forms of Gender Based Violence, GBV and discrimination for them to have justice.
Coordinator, Benue State Sexual Assault Referral Center, SARC, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH, Makurdi, represented by Mrs Nancy Agan gave the assurance while delivering a speech at the event organised by Concerned Women International Development Initiative, CWIDI, in collaboration with Global Network of Young People Living with HIV/AIDS (Y+Global) held in Makurdi.
She stated that the Sexual Assault Referral Center, SARC, established by the Benue State Government handles cases such as rape, force sex and other GBV issues, explained that the center equally does follow-ups on cases to ascertain the extent of damage on victims with the aim to offer assistance as well as prosecute offenders.
Agan while commending CWIDI for the capacity building, emphasized the need for adolescent girls and young women, especially those in sex work to know their rights and described the workshop as timely and advised that in time of abuse victims should feel free to report to the center which has its police officers to assist in arrest and possible prosecution, adding that doctors and counselors are also available to assist victims.
She advised victims of Gender Based Violence, GBV, particularly Adolescent Girls and Young Women, AGYW, in sex occupation not to shy away but always speak out whenever they are molested to access help as well as call the center’s help line- 09029128924 when in trouble, stressing that the center offer 24 hour services on issues of rape, sex with children as well as all other forms of GBV.
Acting Executive Secretary, Benue AIDS Control Agency, BENSACA, Titus Wanngo, represented by Francisca Mbaave, encouraged participants to always seek help when necessary, assuring that the doors of the agency are always open to members of the public for information, help and clarification.
Becky Gbihi, Senior Programme Officer at CWIDI in a remark explained that the two- day capacity building workshop was designed to help AGYWs in sex work in Makurdi understand their rights under the national legal frameworks such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition,VAPP,Act and the Revised National Gender Policy, RNGP.
She also emphasized the need for inclusive policies and support systems that ensure access to justice and healthcare services among women without discrimination, adding that CWIDI’s broader initiative is to equip marginalized AGYWs with necessary tools for advocacy, access to justice and better health outcomes, particularly in the area of HIV,TB and Malaria.
In a presentation, legal expert, Justin Gbagir, argued that the Nigerian constitution has not in anyway discriminated against anybody on account of tribe, occupation or gender and urged participants particularly AGYWs to know and assert their rights, resist abuse and seek redress through legal means when confronted with such issues as well as seek civil society support.
Dr Laadi Swende,a medical expert educated participants on preventive measures against HIV,TB and Malaria.
She advised participants to seek help especially on issues of HIV through support groups, doctors, nurses, community and church leaders such as priest, pastors, support organisations and Government Agencies, encouraging victims to always go to the hospital on time.
Swende also reminded that people must avail themselves to medical services for their rights to life to be guaranteed.
Participants while sharing experiences separately, lamented how they have been roughly treated either by the police or health workers during their days of ignorance, expressing delight that the workshop has equipped them with knowledge to handle human right abuses and their right to access healthcare services as well as advocate for others, commending the organisers of the programme for doing a wonderful job.