Women's aid Collective - WACOL, an organizations whose aim is to have society free from violence and abuse, held a 2-day workshop to train trainers (ToT) and key persons on implementation of the national action plan (NAP) on Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG), Health Promotion (HP) and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) has held in Cross River state.
The ToT workshop which held at Marian Hotel, Calabar, Thursday and Friday drew participants from key organisations and government Ministry, Department and Agencies (MDAs) with the aim of strengthening government policies and institutions around issues of VAWG, HP AND SGBV.
While addressing participants at the events, the founding executive director of Women's Aid Collective WACOL, Prof. Joy Ezeilo SAN, OON informed that the project was part of the UN EU sponsored spotlight initiative to end all forms of violence, she noted that as implementing partners, WACOL is implementing the project in the 6 states of Cross River, Ebonyi, Adamawa, Sokoto, Lagos, and FCT.
Cross River as part of six states across the country (Nigeria) including T was selected for the workshop as part of two criteria, namely, rate of gender based violence (GBV) in those states as well as the commitment of government in view of enabling environment.
Prof. Ezeilo who explained that WACOL was selected to implement the ToT in Cross River and Ebonyi with focal interest at implementing pillar one bothering on laws and policies and pillar two which touches on strengthening government institutions noted that the 'Spotlight Initiative is the world's largest targeted effort to end violence against women', highlighted that there is a need to replicate the National Action Plan, NAP on VAWG, HP and SGBV at the states level.
'Within these two days we are going to develop a state action plan, during the presentation of the resource persons you will understand further the contents of the national action plan which you are going to adapt to draw our state action plan', Ezeilo observed.
In her remarks the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs Dr. Egbe advocated for a proper development and implementation of a state action plan, SAP. She added that 'without implementation there is nothing.' According to her, implementation is the hallmark.
Speaking exclusively with journalists
Prof. Ezeilo, said the National Action Plan, on VAWG, HP and SGBV 'is geared towards mapping out pragmatic approaches to end violence against women and girls, sexual and gender-based violence', and facilitate sexual and reproductive health rights for women.
Prof. Ezeilo, said the National Action Plan, on VAWG, HP and SGBV 'is geared towards mapping out pragmatic approaches to end violence against women and girls, sexual and gender-based violence', and facilitate sexual and reproductive health rights for women.
Ezeilo who was represented by the Program Officer of WACOL, Anuli Ezennia added that at the end of the day when the state action is developed it is anticipated that a state steering committee is formed to facilitate implementation of the national action plan, MAP in the state.
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