Kogi Stakeholders Demand End To Culture Of Silence On Gender-based Violence

Stakeholders in Kogi State have demanded urgent action to dismantle structures that perpetuate gender-based violence (GBV) and intimate partner violence (IPV), following a high-level policy dialogue held in Lokoja at the weekend.

The forum, convened at the Kogi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, brought together traditional rulers, religious leaders, government officials, civil society organisations, and law enforcement agencies to address the “culture of silence” that shields perpetrators and discourages survivors from reporting abuse.

At the end of the dialogue, participants identified several bottlenecks hampering GBV prevention and response in the state.

These include poor budgetary releases to relevant ministries, departments and agencies, weak institutional capacity, inadequate office spaces for Gender Desk Officers, and the absence of a functional Sexual Assault and Referral Centre (SARC).

They also cited social interference, where families and traditional rulers mediate criminal cases and pressure victims to withdraw complaints, as well as limited collaboration between the state and civil society organisations.

To tackle the challenges, stakeholders recommended a review of the Kogi State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, VAPP, to explicitly include spousal rape and to integrate sexual education into school curricula.

They also called for the full operationalization and equipping of SARCs, timely release of funds for GBV prevention programme, and periodic training for health workers and security personnel on proper case management.

The meeting further resolved to strengthen the existing Case Management Committee and reactivate quarterly GBV Technical Working Group review meetings to improve coordination and synergy.

In a key resolution, stakeholders committed to a statewide advocacy campaign to de-stigmatize reporting and encourage survivors to speak out without fear.

Traditional and religious leaders pledged to use their platforms to condemn violence and ensure that cultural or religious interpretations are not used to justify abuse or block legal redress.

Government authorities reaffirmed their commitment to fully implementing the VAPP law and strengthening institutional frameworks to ensure reported cases lead to swift prosecution.

Acknowledging the paucity of resources, participants agreed to explore public-private partnerships and prioritize creative allocation of existing budgets to support shelters, medical response teams, and legal aid for survivors.

They also resolved to establish community-based reporting desks under traditional councils to identify and report early warning signs of partner violence.