…Social Welfare Ministry urges HELDi, other NGOs, to move faster into more LGAs, communities

Rivers State Government has called for action against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) which it said is spreading underground.

The government raised the alarm at the launch and inauguration of the SGBV response teams in some local council areas of the state in Port Harcourt in the past week.

Government spoke through the Ministry of Social Welfare headed by a Permanent Secretary, Lauretta Davies-Dimkpa.

The Permanent Secretary admitted that the Healthy Life Development Initiative (HELDi), led by Mfon Utin, the coordinator, was doing a great job. “This is just a pilot phase of the advocacy. We are moving into other local council areas of Rivers State after Eleme, Etche, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGAs. We urge you, go to work, now. Other NGOs should identify their niche and get to work.”

Government also seriously noted that activities of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGTB) community was underreported in the state. A recent fashion event which turned out to be for LGBT community has attracted widespread condemnation and calls by a government for anybody hosting events this yuletide should register first.

Davies-Dimkpa said she was now seeing the threats in the social sector and thanked Gov Sim Fubara for posting her to the Ministry. “I am now seeing huge challenges ahead. I can now see what His Excellency is trying to achieve in this sector.”

She said SGBV affecting lives and putting destinies to jeopardy. The scope of gender violence is wide. Maltreating a maid is part of it. Many do not know that such acts in homes end up destroying their own children. Often, the maids grow up very strong and competent to face independent lives, while the children of the house grow into lazy and intolerant persons.

That is why today, most adults can’t cope with anybody. We expect this campaign to get to all the LGAs of Rivers State. Let us kick this menace out of our society.”

What HELDi needs:

HELDi said it is ready to move into more LGAs in the state but called on the state ‘s support. The scheme is being funded in the three LGAs by ‘Rise Up Together’. Utin thus called on the state government to consider making annual allocation to support NGOs fighting against sexual violence in the state.

She recounted her experience across the state and said there was urgent need for government’s intervention by, for instance, creating medical access to victims and creating safe havens to keep victims who revealed their attackers. She also insisted that perpetrators must be punished according to the law.

The event was attended by government officials, representatives of LGA chairmen and councils; members of Traditional Rulers’ Councils; community leaders; representatives of relevant state ministries and agencies; civil society organisations (CSOs); members of the SGBV Response Teams; media people, etc.

Utin said the day marked an important step towards building a safer, more inclusive, and violence-free Rivers State.

“We sincerely appreciate our funder, Rise Up Together, for believing in our vision and providing the resources that have made this initiative possible. We also appreciate the Rivers State Government, particularly the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation and Health, for their collaboration from the advocacy stage to this milestone.”

HELDI made it clear that SGBV remains a serious concern affecting individuals, families and communities. “Addressing it requires more than awareness; it demands accessible services, timely referrals, confidentiality, compassion, accountability and a coordinated response.”

She stated that through this initiative, 75 SGBV Response Team members have been selected across various communities and clans in the three LGAs, trained and equipped to support survivors. “Together, they have identified and supported over 400 survivors in less than two years. We have also conducted sensitisation activities in schools, markets and communities, encouraging survivors to speak up and seek help.”

She said many survivors continue to face significant barriers, particularly the financial costs of accessing medical care, police assistance, safe shelter, empowerment opportunities and justice. She said the Response Teams face many challenges and called for support.

She mentioned the areas of support to include supporting the victims, contributing to reliable community-level data collection on SGBV across the three LGAs, access to survivor-centred services.

HELDI called for implementing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law in Rivers State.

“As we launch these teams, let us renew our commitment to collaboration, coordination and compassion, ensuring that no survivor is left without help, hope, or access to justice”, she told her team.

Answering questions, Utin said she was fulfilled, excited, and deeply encouraged by the successful launch of the SGBV Response Teams in Etche, Eleme, and ONELGA by the Rivers State Government. “I am particularly pleased with the ownership demonstrated by relevant state and LGA stakeholders, including traditional rulers.”

She said government support and clear stand on partnership would help her NGO to strategise better. “We need sustained capacity-building, logistical support and government ownership to enable the teams to function effectively, protect survivors’ health, safety, and dignity, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the response mechanism.

She however said they were encouraged by the Rivers State Government’s recognition of the importance of the project and its commitment to supporting the initiative. “Our ultimate goal is to ensure that every SGBV survivor receives timely, free and appropriate support, no survivor is left behind, and perpetrators are held accountable and brought to justice.”

She was pleased with the donation of N200,000 the Onelga council of traditional rulers and N50,000 support by Prof Blessing, which she gave to the Onelga HELDi to open their own account.

Professor says action is needed, now, in all LGAs:

A professor, Justina Jumbo, who delivered the keynote address, warned that action is needed right away going by the spread of sexual violence. She wants the Rivers State Government to facilitate the campaign to all the 23 LGAs of the state. “The establishment of these response teams is, therefore, a significant step towards addressing this challenge.

“The teams are expected to facilitate effective reporting, referral, and access to essential services, including medical care, psychosocial support, legal assistance, and protection. Above all, survivors must be treated with dignity, compassion, and confidentiality, without discrimination, intimidation, or stigma.”

She joined in commending HELDi for a healthy advocacy, but joined in demanding for it to get to all the 23 LGAs in the state. “There is an urgent need to expand this initiative to the remaining Local Government Areas of Rivers State to ensure broader geographical coverage and equitable access to protection, referral, and support services.

“I, therefore, call on the Rivers State Government, development partners, relevant institutions, and community stakeholders to support the gradual expansion and sustainability of these response teams across the state.”

She noted that preventing SGBV is a collective responsibility, “Protecting survivors is our moral obligation, and ensuring access to justice and support is our shared commitment.”

Monarch wants all hands on the deck:

Samuel Ugochukwu, a monarch and professor, who hails from the Ogba zone of the state, thinks all hands must be on deck to fight the new growing menace, especially by supporting HELDi.

He said gender-based violence remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations of the present time. According to him, statistics and daily realities show that silence and inaction were no longer options.

Quoting Grace Michael (A human rights activist and politician), the monarch said: “Violence is the breast milk we are feeding our young”

He Commended organizers and the leadership for spearheading an effort that priotizes prevention, survivor support, and institutional accountability. He pledged an unwavering support to the SGBV Initiative.

“Our commitment as a stakeholder, my Omdioga Kingdom and every Organisation I belong to pledges unwavering support to this cause.”

Conclusion:

Should the advocacy and sanitization continue in Eleme, Etche, and Ogba areas for some time to come, those areas stand to witness sanity and civilization over and ahead of the other 20 LGAs of Rivers State because women would be accorded more respect and protection in the sanitized areas.