Imo State officially launched its 16-Day Activism Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), with an impactful Awareness Walk to highlight the dangers of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and promote the use of the Violence Against Persons (VAPP) Act for prosecuting offenders and ensuring justice for victims.
The Walk, which started at Freedom Square (Warehouse Roundabout) and ended at the Imo State Police Command, was led by Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu UNJP, Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, representing the First Lady of Imo State, Chief Barr. (Mrs.) Chioma Uzodimma.
In her address, the First Lady called on the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to prioritize the prosecution of GBV cases under the VAPP Act, ensuring swift justice for survivors. She emphasized the importance of sustained public awareness campaigns to protect women and girls from violence while reiterating the state’s zero-tolerance stance on issues such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and sexual abuse.
Commissioner of Police CP Aboki Danjuma commended the initiative, pledging full cooperation with the First Lady’s Office, the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, civil society organizations, and other relevant bodies to rigorously prosecute GBV cases.
Participants at the event emphasized the need for the establishment of a dedicated VAPP Agency and a specialized VAPP Court to expedite justice delivery for survivors.
The First Lady expressed her appreciation to all stakeholders and partners, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police, government appointees, former legislators, women’s groups, civil society organizations, and agencies like NAPTIP, Alliances for Africa, and the CLEEN Foundation, for their unwavering support.
The campaign continues with a series of activities aimed at fostering collaboration and intensifying efforts to eliminate GBV in Imo State.
