Gender-based violence on increase in Cross River – Official
The Cross River State Government has expressed worry over rising cases of violence against women in the state.
The Director, Women Development, Ministry of Women Affairs in the state, Nancy Nsor, said this when she spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Wednesday.
Ms Nsor said the ministry was deeply concerned about the pervasive violence against women in the state.
“Gender Based Violence (GBV) which is assuming a geometric increase in recent times is hindering national productivity, as it is occurring among people in the productive age group.
“Its persistence has become more glaring amid COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Inspector-General of Police reported that 717 rape cases were reported within the first five months of 2021, this excludes other forms of violence and harmful practices women and girls faced daily.
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“Without the effective and efficient collaboration with religious and traditional institutions, we cannot see survivors in those areas where this is happening and then target the end to violence against women and girls,” she said.
Ms Nsor added: “GBV in Nigeria is almost accepted as a fact of life in some cultures that perceive women as the property of their husbands.
“Many women die annually or have their reproductive organs permanently damaged through genital mutilation practice.
“Some cultures encourage denying women and girls access to education, land or inheritance,” she said.
Ms Nsor said women must seek knowledge to maximally unleash their potential as gender equality would guarantee a level playing field devoid of all forms of discrimination.
She said while the Cross River State Government would create institutions to address the root cause of GBV, there should be a stronger national response that can support survivors of violence.
“Those who turn a blind eye to violence against women, saying it is a private matter, should know that they are accomplices,” she said.
Forty-six out of every 100 women, between the age of 15 and 49 in Nigeria’s South-south, have experienced physical violence at the age of 15, according to the 2018 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey.
