From Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Participants at a two-day capacity building workshop to equip Adolescent Girls and Young Women, AGYW, engaged in sex work in Benue State with legal and health rights awareness have been assured of adequate support to ensure that they and other vulnerable population do not suffer sexual violence or other forms of Gender Based Violence, GBV and discrimination.
Coordinator, Benue State Sexual Assault Referral Center,SARC, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH, Makurdi, represented by Mrs Nancy Agan gave the assurance while delivering a speech at an event organised by Concerned Women International Development Initiative, CWIDI, in collaboration with Global Network of Young People Living with HIV/AIDS (Y+Global) held in Makurdi.
She stated that the Sexual Assault Referral Center, SARC, established by the Benue State government handles cases such as rape, forced sex and other GBV issues.
Agan explained that the center equally does follow ups on cases to ascertain the extent of damage on victims with the aim of offering assistance, as well as prosecute offenders.
Agan, while commending CWIDI for the capacity building, emphasized the need for adolescent girls and young women, especially those carrying out sex work to know their rights and described the workshop as timely.
She advised that in times of abuse, victims should feel free to report to the center, adding that doctors and counselors are also available to assist them.
She advised victims of GBV, particularly AGYW in sex occupation to always speak out whenever they are molested, as well as call the center’s help line- 09029128924 when in trouble, stressing that the center offers 24-hour services on issues of rape,sex with children and other forms of GBV.
The Acting Executive Secretary, Benue AIDS Control Agency, BENSACA, Titus Wanngo, represented by Francisca Mbaave, encouraged participants to always seek help when necessary, assuring that the doors of the agency are open to members of the public for information, help and clarification.
The Senior Programme Officer at CWIDI, Becky Gbihi, explained that the two-day capacity building workshop was designed to help AGYWs in sex work in Makurdi understand their rights under national legal frameworks such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition,VAPP,Act and the Revised National Gender Policy, RNGP.
She also emphasized the need for inclusive policies and support systems that ensure access to justice and healthcare services among women without discrimination, adding that CWIDI’s broader initiative is to equip marginalised AGYWs with the necessary tools for advocacy, access to justice and better health outcomes, particularly in the area of HIV, TB and malaria.
In a presentation, a legal expert, Justin Gbagir, argued that the constitution does not discriminate against anybody on account of tribe, occupation or gender and urged participants particularly AGYWs to know and assert their rights, resist abuse and seek redress through legal means when confronted with such issues, as well as seek civil society’s support.
A medical expert, Dr Laadi Swende educated participants on preventive measures against HIV, TB and malaria.
She advised participants to seek help, especially on issues of HIV through support groups, doctors, nurses, community and church leaders such as priest, pastors, support organisations and government agencies, encouraging victims to always go to the hospital on time.
Swende also reminded them that they must avail themselves to medical services for their right to life to be guaranteed.
Participants, while sharing their experiences, lamented how they were roughly treated either by the police or health workers during their days of ignorance, expressing delight that the workshop has equipped them with the knowledge to handle human rights abuses and their right to access healthcare, as well as advocate for others, commending the organisers of the programme for doing a wonderful job.
