Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
In a determined effort to address the escalating rate of gender-based violence in Imo State, Amnesty International has entered into a strategic partnership with female lawyers in the state to strengthen prevention mechanisms and improve response systems for survivors. The collaboration was formally launched on Monday in Owerri during a capacity-building programme designed to equip lawyers with the skills necessary to handle media components, information gathering, and survivor protection. The initiative comes at a critical time when cases of sexual and gender-based violence continue to pose significant threats to the safety and well-being of women and girls across the South-East region.
Speaking at the training session, the Human Rights Education Officer of Amnesty International, Helen Addah, emphasised the urgent need to translate existing policies and laws on gender-based violence into tangible action. She specifically highlighted the importance of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre, where survivors can access comprehensive services needed for their stabilisation and recovery. Addah stressed that the protection of human rights must remain central to all interventions, noting that viewing every case through the prism of human rights would significantly reduce the prevalence of gender-based violence in the state. Her remarks underscored the organisation's commitment to ensuring that legal frameworks are not merely symbolic but are actively enforced to protect vulnerable populations.
One of the resource persons at the event, Rosemary Hamza, drew attention to the critical role of referral pathways in delivering effective GBV response. She described referral pathways as the foundation of quality intervention, connecting survivors with coordinated services that address their physical, emotional, legal, and social needs. Without effective referral systems, Hamza warned, survivors may experience delays, fragmented services, repeated questioning, breaches of confidentiality, or even further harm. She outlined the benefits of well-established referral pathways, including timely access to medical treatment and psychosocial support, survivor-centred care, improved coordination among organisations, and enhanced confidentiality. Hamza urged the female lawyers to strengthen their resolve to track and report violence cases consistently, serving as a deterrent to potential offenders.
The training also addressed the pervasive issue of secondary victimisation, a phenomenon that compounds the trauma experienced by survivors. The former Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Ndidi Anike Val-Okeoma, who also participated in the programme, stressed that lawyers must guard against practices that shame victims or subject them to further psychological harm. She noted that the training was particularly relevant for female lawyers in handling and engaging in advocacy centred on gender-based violence. Val-Okeoma explained that when lawyers are properly equipped with the necessary skills, they would in turn educate society on the appropriate responses when faced with issues of gender-based violence, particularly regarding understanding referral pathways. This cascading effect, she argued, would contribute to a broader cultural shift in how communities perceive and respond to violence against women.
The partnership between Amnesty International and Imo female lawyers represents a significant step forward in the fight against gender-based violence in the state, which has witnessed increasing reports of abuse and assault in recent years. The initiative is part of Amnesty International's broader advocacy for women's rights and its commitment to supporting human rights defenders working on the frontlines of gender justice. The organisation has previously raised concerns over the rising prevalence of abuse and called for urgent reforms, including the training of legal professionals on issues bordering on gender-based violence. The Imo partnership builds on similar efforts in other states, such as Kano, where Amnesty International collaborated with FIDA to strengthen legal responses to GBV.
The capacity-building programme is expected to have a lasting impact on the legal landscape in Imo State, empowering female lawyers to become more effective advocates for survivors and to hold perpetrators accountable. By improving the skills of legal professionals in information gathering, survivor protection, and media engagement, the initiative aims to create a more responsive and survivor-centred justice system. The emphasis on referral pathways and the prevention of secondary victimisation reflects a growing recognition among human rights organisations that effective GBV response requires a holistic approach that addresses the physical, emotional, legal, and social needs of survivors.
The Imo State Government has existing legal frameworks to address gender-based violence, including the Imo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law. However, activists and legal practitioners have consistently called for stronger implementation and amendments to improve the law's effectiveness. The collaboration with Amnesty International is expected to complement government efforts by building the capacity of legal professionals and strengthening the network of support available to survivors. As the initiative gains momentum, the hope is that more survivors will come forward to report cases of violence, knowing that they will receive the support and legal protection they deserve. The training programme in Owerri marks the beginning of what stakeholders hope will be a sustained effort to end gender-based violence in Imo State and beyond.
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