The Delta State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (DELSACA) has brought together key stakeholders from government, civil society and community-based organizations to strengthen collaborative efforts in addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV), HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) in Delta State.
The GHR Quarterly Review Meeting, organized by DELSACA, brought together representatives from the Ministries of Women Affairs, Education and Health, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Local Government Action Committees on HIV/AIDS (LACAs), Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and other relevant stakeholders.
The meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to review progress, share experiences and identify gaps and opportunities for stronger coordination in the response to GBV, HIV and TB.
Participants emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration, effective referral and support systems, community engagement and coordinated action to improve outcomes for affected and vulnerable populations across the State.
Declaring the meeting open, the Executive Secretary of the Delta State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA), Dr. Rudolph Hobson, said the meeting was convened to review achievements so far and chart a way forward for greater impact.
Dr. Hobson urged participants to contribute meaningfully to the deliberations in order to reduce the prevalence of GBV and improve HIV and TB response in the state.
Earlier, the Prevention Officer of SACA, Mrs. Evelyn Atu, said the objective of the meeting was to strengthen the capacity of the State HIV/TB, Gender and Human Rights Response Team, increase awareness and advocacy on gender and human rights issues related to HIV and TB, and improve access to services.
According to her, the meeting would also deliberate on strategies to improve access to HIV and TB services for women, children and other underserved populations, as well as enhance information sharing among stakeholders.
The Deputy Director from Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Michael Emeshili assured of his ministry’s support.
In her presentation, the representative of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Mrs. Patience Ohoriemu, revealed that 39 cases were handled within the quarter, out of which 23 were domestic violence* and 2 were rape cases.
She identified funding as their greatest challenge, stressing that the primary source of funding for FIDA remains members’ dues, contributions and donations from well-meaning individuals.
Also speaking, the Desk Officer for Police Committee on HIV/AIDS, Police Clinic, Asaba, ASP Andy Ekanenem*, said the Clinic handled 27 cases of violence and 22 cases of sexual assault within the quarter. He noted that all cases were screened for HIV, provided with clinical services and counselling.
Ekanenem added that the cases were referred from different police stations within Asaba and Ibusa.
Other stakeholders who made presentations included the State Coordinator of Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (CISHAN), Amb. (Dr.) Eris Jewo Ibi; the GBV Desk Officer in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Mrs. Rosemary Okpuno; Barr. Blessing Cooker from the State Ministry of Justice; and the representative of Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS).
They all emphasized the need for more sensitization on GBV.
In her report, Amb. Jewo-Ibi disclosed that reports from *12 Community Based Organizations (CBOs) showed that 11 cases were recorded within the quarter, with 8 cases of sexual abuse, while 7 cases were resolved.
She said CISHAN usually refers health-related cases to healthcare centres and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to sustained advocacy and community support.