The fight against sexual, physical and emotional violence women and girls are made to face in Nigeria would register greater result if stakeholders, community surveillance teams and relevant government agencies could increase their level of commitment, a EU-UN group, Spotlight Initiative, has said.
Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF Field Office, Enugu, Mr. Victor Atochukwu, said this in Calabar during a review meeting with established community surveillance teams from Calabar South local government area and Calabar municipality.
Atochukwu decried the high rate of violence meted out to women and children, particularly girls, and charged participants and indeed all Nigerians to join hands with the global body in the campaign against the menace.
While disclosing that more than nine million children under the age of 18 in Nigeria were exposed to sexual abuse, he said the culture of silence and inability of critical stakeholders to rise in defence of victims were making the fight difficult.
“Awareness campaigns must be carried out. Effective change can only be sustained when there is community ownership. The fight is by the community and for the benefit of our communities in particular and our country in general.
“When the team members and indeed all stakeholders understand and accept this fact that violence against women and girls are issues that need to be addressed, our society would be better. Everyone must take responsibility, both the state actors and non state actors,” he said.
