Dr Mariam Shiru, a Senior Registrar at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, says health workers encounter women and men who experience Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on regular basis. Shiru, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Ilorin, said the phenomenon is pervasive worldwide. She spoke against the background of the the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women with the theme: ‘Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls.’ Shiru said the exact frequency of GBV may vary depending on factors such as the location, population size and access to healthcare services. The expert, who is also the Vice president of Association of Resident Doctors at UITH described GBV as any form of violence that is primarily committed against individuals based on their gender or sex. ‘It encompasses various abusive behaviors that are rooted in power imbalances between genders, aiming to control, intimidate, or harm individuals based on their gender identity,’ she said. Shiru explained that GBV encompasses various forms such as domestic violence, sexual assault and harmful practices like female genital mutilation. According to her, GBV is a significant public health concern affecting millions of individuals globally She said available data indicated that a significant number of people in Nigeria experience gender-based violence. ‘It is, however, often underreported and gathering accurate data can be challenging due to various factors, including stigma and fear of reprisal,’ she added. The expert pointed out that stopping GBV required a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach involving individuals, communities, institutions and governments. She said there was need for education and awareness campaign so as to promote gender equality, human rights and respectful relationships through educational programmes in schools, universities and communities. Shiru also advocated the need to raise awareness about the various forms of Gender Based Violence, their consequences and the importance of prevention. ‘The government must establish and enforce strong laws and policies that criminalise Gender Based Violence, ensure access to justice for survivors and hold perpetrators accountable. ‘These include supporting specialided courts, training of law enforcement agents and creating safe reporting mechanisms,’ she said. Shiru further underscored the need for data collection and research for accurate and reliable information on the prevalence and impact of GBV. She added that this would help in using evidence-based research to inform policies, programmes and interventions. The expert also advocated fostering international collaboration to address GBV, share best practices and provide support to countries facing challenges in this area. ‘This includes working with international organisations, NGOs and civil society groups. ‘The Nigerian government can help to stop Gender Based Violence by implementing and enforcing comprehensive legislation that criminalising all forms of Gender Based Violence,’ she said. Shiru also called for specialised law enforcement units trained to handle cases of GBV and establishing dedicated hotlines for reporting such cases. She added that ensuring access to justice for survivors was important by establishing specialised courts and providing legal aid services.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria