Gender, institution empowerment vital for GBV risk mitigation – Expert
By Magdalene Ukuedojor
Prof. Patience Ukiri-Mudiare, a sociologist who majors in spousal violence, says gender-based violence (GBV) can be tackled holistically with gender empowerment and strong institutional backing.
Ukiri-Mudiare, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said GBV results in physical and psychological injuries which maintain unequal power relations between men and women.
“The fight is not ours alone. We need both the men and women; we need both hands on deck to fight this battle.
“Number one, awareness and conscientisation.
“So, let’s go beyond awareness raising, let us act now; action.
“What are those actions? The laws that discriminate against women should be repealed.
“Two, action against perpetrators of violence. When nothing happens to them, they think they can get away scot-free.
“By the time we see examples of what has been done to those who perpetrate violence against whether men or women; it doesn’t matter, irrespective of the gender, let there be appropriate punishment.
“And third, let there be a place where they can report such violence.
“And there should be this emergency number. Let’s have our own emergency that even a child can call; hey, hey daddy is beating mummy; report.
“Sensitise even the children, let them know that this is wrong, and then let’s just keep talking about it, we should never get tired.
“And then lastly, there should be zero level tolerance for violence, whether against men, against women, against children.
“Let there be a place where we can also give them a haven where we can take care of these survivors.
“It is a place you can keep for them, where they can come and where they can receive counselling, receive legal help and the rest for the time being until they’re able to settle down.
“So, if we have things like this in place, I think it will go a long way.”
Ukiri-Mudiare said GBV manifests as physical abuse and neglect, emotional abuse and neglect, sexual abuse and neglect, economic abuse, and sexual exploitation and abuse.
She said GBV needs to be curtailed as it affects health, erodes social skills, increases low self-esteem and productivity, causes suicidal ideation, promotes cycle of violence, dysfunctional families and death.
She, therefore, recommended the empowerment of both genders, increased enlightenment campaign, community engagement, domestication of legislation and strong institutions that work against GBV.
Also, the enforcement of the Violence against Persons Prohibition Act, 2015 (VAPP Law). (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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