Between January and October, Cross River State reported 586 cases of gender-based violence (GBV), according to the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Edema Irom. This figure represents officially reported cases to the government, indicating that there may be additional unreported instances.
To address the issue, the Ministry of Women Affairs is working to establish structures in collaboration with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) across the 18 local government areas of the state. These structures aim to report GBV cases in real-time and enhance the response to this menace.
The Commissioner mentioned the existence of a Technical Working Group (TWG) comprising members from the ministry and NGOs. This group meets quarterly to review efforts and strategies in place to address gender-based violence.
The announcement was made during a news conference marking the commencement of the 16 days of activism against GBV. This annual event, recognized globally from November 25 to December 10, aims to raise awareness about gender-based violence and honor those who have fought against it. The period also commemorates other significant dates, including the World Day for HIV prevention on December 1, the International Day for Persons with Disability on December 3, and International Human Rights Day on December 10.