SGBV: Adamawa Stakeholders, CoPREP Prepare to End Scourge

Daji Sani in Yola

 Strategic stakeholders in the fight against sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment have said they have developed strategies, and were equipped with a technical knowledge from the series of engagements to enable them put an end to the menace bedeviling their localities.

This was the outcome of various multi-sectorial meetings, trainings and knowledge sharing engagements jointly organised by the Adamawa State Ministries of Women Affairs, Health and Human Services, and supported by the COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Project (CoPREP) and the World Bank in Yola, the state capital.

The stakeholders, comprising of traditional rulers, women leaders, service providers, community actors, CSOs, the police and government officials drew from the state and the 21 local government areas, were trained on the implementation of sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment work plan, awareness creation and collaborations aimed at providing safe and supportive environment for GBV survivors.

To ensure effective coordination at all levels, the stakeholders also adopted a quarterly coordination meeting which is held simultaneously across the 21 LGAs.

This is to enable them identify service providers, acquaint them with the mandate of CoPREP on Gender and Gender-based Violence, and assess the types of services being provided by various organisations at all levels.

Also through the support of CoPREP and the World Bank, a robust intellectual dialogue and interactive sessions for stakeholders, CoPREP, NCDC, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women Affairs, Service Providers and Community Actors on SGBV drew from the 21 LGAs was held during which participants shared valuable insights and pledged their commitment to combatting GBV in their respective communities.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further strengthen the synergy between the police, Local Government Councils, Primary Health care Development Agency, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Women Affairs was also signed.