He encouraged these groups to speak out and report abuse, assuring them of the Centre’s free legal support and protection
By Austin Angwe, Makurdi
The Citizens’ Mediation Centre under the Directorate of Citizens’ Rights, Benue State Ministry of Justice, has expressed its readiness to collaborate with organizations that share its mission of promoting access to justice for vulnerable populations.
The assurance was given during an advocacy visit by Concerned Women International Development Initiative, CWIDI, to the Centre’s office, Thursday, in Makurdi.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of the Director, Barr. Ejembi Enikola, the Assistant Director at the Ministry of Justice, Barr. Sunday Sabe, welcomed the team and reiterated the Centre’s mandate, assuring the team of the needed cooperation to ensure people’s rights especially vulnerable women groups, such as Adolescent Girls and Young Women, AGYW and young female sex workers are given adequate protection.
He noted that since its legislative backing in 2008 by the Benue State House of Assembly, the Centre has worked to ensure that marginalized members of society, especially indigent citizens, access justice regardless of financial or social constraints.
Sabe equally emphasized the Centre’s commitment to addressing cases of human rights and health violations, expressing concern that vulnerable populations, particularly Adolescent Girls and Young Women, AGYW, and Female Sex Workers, FSWs, often remain silent about experiences of Gender-Based Violence, GBV, due to fear, stigma, or shame.
He encouraged these groups to speak out and report abuse, assuring them of the Centre’s free legal support and protection.
Sabe commended CWIDI for its focus on an often overlooked but critically important group, pledging the Centre’s full cooperation to ensure that the rights of AGYW and young FSWs are safeguarded.
Speaking during the visit, Becky Gbihi, CWIDI’s Senior Programme Officer, described the Citizens’ Rights Office as a key stakeholder in the fight against GBV and human rights violations.
She explained that CWIDI, in partnership with Ogilima Foundation with support from the Gender Equality Fund and Y+ Global, is implementing a two-year project aimed at improving the health rights and access to justice for AGYW and young FSWs in Benue State.
Gbihi stated that the initiative targets AGYW and selected FSWs to raise awareness about gender equality, legal protections, and access to healthcare, particularly in relation to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.