Akwa Ibom: Coalition Pushes for Provision of Designated court for GBVs cases, Budgets to Actions
By Ekemini Simon
A coalition of Advocacy Groups in Akwa Ibom State known as Akwa Ibom State Working Group has called on the government of Akwa Ibom State to make provision for a designated court for Gender-based Violence (GBVs) cases.
The coalition also asked for a cost model action plan which is to attach budgets to action plans set to provide support and closure for GBVs victims/survivors and its management.
The coalition made the call on Monday when they paid an advocacy call to Mrs. Emem Ette, the Director and Head of the Akwa Ibom State Government Sexual and Gender- Based Violence Response Department, Ministry of Justice in Uyo.
The coalition noted that the reason they are asking for designated court for GBV cases is so that such victims/survivors can get justice on time to aid healing.
Responding, the Director and Head of the Akwa Ibom State Government Sexual and Gender- Based Violence Response Department, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Emem Ette said steps are already taken for the State Government to have the courts for GBV cases.
She noted that the ministry has already written to the Governor for the establishment of the Court.
Ette explained that the court for GBV will be specialized almost like the family Court. She said besides capital offenses such as rape and pouring substance on someone, the court will allow for settlements out of court if the parties involved so which.
The Director added ” We are trying to convince the State Executive Council on the number of judges to be appointed. We can start per senatorial district. Government has to look at all that. In such a court, there might be a need for conferencing. There might be a need for a children’s play area where while the parents are in court, the children are there. The existing court does not have those facilities. Government must take it into consideration”.
She noted that so far, the government has secured two convictions through the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law of Akwa Ibom State.
The Director assured that the government of Akwa Ibom State will continue to make budgetary provisions that provide support and closure for GBVs victims/survivors and its management.
Meanwhile, the advocacy by the Coalition is part of the project executed by WARDC (Women Advocates Research and Development Centre through a coalition in Akwa Ibom headed by The Executive Director of Community Partners for Development (CDP) alongsideShe Writes Woman (SWW) Mental Health Initiative, Vitonia Lead Foundation International, Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) and Child Protection Network Akwa Ibom State.