The National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has said that its campaign against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in collaboration with other organisations is targeted at 10 million Nigerians.
This was made known in a statement signed by Mr Adekoye Vincent, of the Press and Public Relations Unit of NAPTIP and issued to newsmen in Abuja on Friday.
The statement said that planned outreach would include; awareness creation messages on how to report any form of SGBV and how to seek for rescue and assistance; trauma counselling and legal advice for SGBV survivors.
NAPTIP said that it would reach out to survivors in various shelters and communities and would engage traditional, social media and others during the campaign.
The statement quoted the Director-General of NAPTIP, Dr Fatima Waziri–Azi, as listing the partners for the 2021,16 Days of Activism Against SGBV as Office of the Vice President; National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
Others, she said were: Nigeria Police Force, Social Development Secretariat, European Union Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme implemented by British Council; Ford Foundation; Justice Research Institute and The CANS.
“The 16 Days of activism against SGBV is an annual international campaign against violence against women and girls. The campaign runs every year from 25 November, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10th December, the National Human Rights Day.
“It was initiated in 1991 by the First Women’s Global Leadership Institute, held by the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL) at Rutgers University. NAPTIP’s theme for this year is: Watch Out and Speak Out for Justice.
“It is a strategy for individuals and groups around the world to call for the elimination of all forms of gender-based violence against women.
“It is also to improve advocacy on issues relating to gender-based violence and to impress on policy makers and state actors on the need to formulate gender compliance policies and implementable programmes,’’ Waziri–Azi.
The statement also quoted the director-general as calling for global efforts to end all forms of gender violence, rape and discriminatory policies against the girl child.
She specifically advocated for a crisis-free learning environment, deliberate assisted funding and adequate mentoring for career advancement for girls.
It quoted Waziri–Azi saying that this year’s celebration shall align with the agency’s four points strategic focus, which are to: increased conviction rates of SGBV cases and sustainable rehabilitation and reintegration of survivors.
Others, she said were: enhanced awareness creation and sensitisation on issues of SGBV and improved visibility for the agency and its partners.
In the statement, she outlined other programmes lined up for the 16 days to include: NAPTIP sensitisation walk with partners tagged: “Walk United Against SBGV” to create maximum awareness; a novelty football match designed to kick offenders to prison.
Other events according to the statement are: campaigns to secondary schools; launch of the maiden edition of the ”Violence Against Persons Prohibition Report” under the leadership of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya-Umar Farouq.
It will also include unveiling of the new episode of an awareness drama by the NAPTIP Drama Club.
Waziri–Azi, however, called for collaboration of all stakeholders and beneficiaries in ensuring the overall success of the activities. (NAN)
