By Anita Uzoagba
Experts in Counselling have called for collective action to address the changing nature of Gender-based Violence (GBV) and provide adequate support for survivors.
They made the call in Abuja, during the end of year party of the Counselling Association of Nigeria, (CASSON) FCT Chapter, to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence.
Speaking during the event, the Director of Guidance and Counselling, FCT Secondary Education Board, Dr Margaret Adeyeye, advocated for routine counselling for Nigerians.
She said that proper counselling will reduce gender-based violence and give voice to survivors, adding that such counselling will help people safeguard their mental health.
“With the current situation of things in Nigeria, a lot of people are facing different challenges that necessitate the need for everyone to go through counselling,” she said.
Adeyeye stressed that effective counselling is a vital tool for nurturing the youth, amid Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.
Also speaking, a trauma specialist, Mrs Ene Ede, said that counselling is vital in healing emotional trauma and sustaining interpersonal relationships, adding that neglect could have far reaching consequences on national development.
According to her, without counsellors, society could become traumatised and impoverished in terms of productivity and overall functionality.
She noted that addressing trauma and emotional wellbeing cuts across spiritual, social, cultural and economic spheres adding that same should not be politicised.
Ede urged counsellors not to be discouraged, describing their work as a mission rather than a purely transactional profession.
On her part, Public Relations Officer of CASSON, Mrs Halima Nuradeen, said that gender-based violence was not only limited to women and girls, but also affected men.
According to her, CASSON prioritises support for survivors through counselling and mental health services.
She expressed optimism that gender-based violence can be significantly reduced, if deliberate preventive measures are put in place.
She reaffirmed CASSON’s commitment to a sustained advocacy, counselling services and collaborative efforts to protect vulnerable individuals and promote mental well-being.
Also speaking, Liason Officer of CASSON, Mr Yahaya Abdulwahab, said that CASSON’s activities aims at assisting individuals to identify areas where counselling and guidance are needed.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure that counselling offices are available in hospitals to support primary health care workers in Nigeria”, he said.
Meanwhile, he noted that professional counsellors had been deployed to most secondary schools nationwide, including the FCT to render counselling services.
Abdulwahab commended the efforts of various state chapters, including Rivers, Delta, Adamawa and Sokoto States, noting that recent outreach activities had targeted schools and youth organisations.
He called for increased government support to strengthen counselling services. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Sandra Umeh
