From Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Female sex workers in Benue State have been urged to form associations to strengthen their voice and protect themselves against Gender-Based Violence, GBV, police harassment and social discrimination.
This call was made by the Director of Programmes and Strategy, Concerned Women International Development Initiative, CWIDI, Bridget Okeke, during a capacity-building workshop in Gboko, organised by the organisation with support from the French Embassy in Nigeria.
Okeke stated that organised associations would enable female sex workers access support from government institutions and non-governmental organisations, while enhancing their ability to engage constructively with the authorities.
“We are working to engage the police, Human Rights Commission and other stakeholders to promote the protection of vulnerable groups, especially female sex workers,” she said.
She cautioned against seeking justice through informal and often dangerous means, such as involving community vigilante groups or “area boys,” which she said could result in jungle justice.
Instead, she encouraged participants to organise and elect representatives who could advocate on their behalf and engage with relevant institutions.
Also speaking, a legal expert, Awashima Adingi, who facilitated a session at the workshop, revealed that 30 percent of women aged 15 to 49 had experienced physical violence, while up to 65 percent face emotional, economic or sexual abuse.
Adingi advised participants to utilise the legal knowledge gained during the training to report GBV cases to the police or appropriate authorities, rather than remaining silent.
Sharing their harrowing experiences of abuse by brothel owners, law enforcement officers and members of the community, some of the participants recounted being forced to pay for services they did not receive and enduring degrading treatment.
Many attendees expressed a renewed sense of purpose and urgency, promising to begin the process of forming associations in their communities. They noted that such collective action would help them negotiate for better conditions, report abuse and access critical services.
The participants commended CWIDI and its partners for organising the training, describing it as timely and empowering.
