The Center for the Study and Resolution of Domestic Violence (CERSDOV), in collaboration with the Norwegian Government and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has intensified its advocacy across Kaduna, Gombe and Akwa Ibom States as a part of efforts to strengthen the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), promote Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and ensure the enforcement of key gender-protection laws.
The advocacy engagements, held on October 15 in Akwa Ibom, November 6 in Kaduna, and November 12 in Gombe, focused on expanding legislative collaboration for the effective implementation of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) (VAPP) Law and the Child Rights Law, while also addressing emerging concerns such as child marriage, sexual violence and limited access to survivor support services.
In all three states, the delegation led by Professor Hauwau Evelyn Yusuf, Chief Executive Officer of CERSDOV, called for stronger enforcement of existing laws and increased support for community-level interventions aimed at protecting women and girls.
She warned that despite the domestication of key gender laws, enforcement gaps continue to expose vulnerable populations to violence and harmful practices.
During each of the engagements, lawmakers were decorated as Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Ambassadors in recognition of their support for ongoing reforms.
The decoration was aimed at strengthening legislative advocacy against child marriage, domestic abuse and other forms of GBV, Prof Yusuf clarified.
In Gombe, the State House of Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to promoting gender equality and protecting the rights of women and girls.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Muhammad Luggerewo, commended CERSDOV and its partners for their efforts, noting that the state had demonstrated strong political will through the passage of relevant laws and recent investments in girls’ education and women’s empowerment.
In Akwa Ibom, lawmakers acknowledged the increasing cases of sexual and physical abuse and pledged stronger collaboration to ensure effective enforcement of the VAPP Law and the Child Rights Law.
They stressed the need for improved community sensitisation and more coordinated survivor support systems.
Professor Yusuf noted that CERSDOV, with support from UNFPA and the Norwegian Government, has already trained community ambassadors, traditional leaders, social welfare officers and security agencies across the three states to enhance early reporting, improve prevention mechanisms and support survivors.
Across Kaduna, Gombe and Akwa Ibom, the engagements ended with firm commitments from the state assemblies with massive presence of lawmakers, to deepen collaboration, strengthen enforcement mechanisms and ensure the protection of the rights and dignity of women and girls.
If these lawmakers stand by their promises, there is hope for Nigeria to significantly reduce, if not completely eradicate, gender-based violence and other social vices that hinder women and girls from reaching their full potential.