FIC Report (Abia State) – The Wife of the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Nkechi Ikpeazu opined that current efforts in ideas, strategies an actions on going in the state will reduce human trafficking to the barest minimum soon.
Speaking as she hosted the State Commandant of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking Against Persons NAPTIP ahead of the 2021 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Mrs. Ikpeazu emphasized that Stakeholders need to give greater attention to victims and employ their experiences in charting ways of combating and preventing the crime. “We need to listen more to the voices of victims even while we focus on bringing their abusers to justice.”
Mrs. Ikpeazu said she is leading robust interventions in the area of sexual and gender based violence, which will deliver an ecosystem in Abia State that will support a reduction in gender based violence including human trafficking and complement the assignment of NAPTIP. “We have a GBV data gathering system that is funded by the UNFPA and domiciled in Ministry of Women Affairs. We have a GBV Resource Centre where ideas, strategies and actions are developed to combat GBV. We have a very active GBV Technical Committee and GBV Action Committee which I am Chair. We are working on setting up our own Sexual Assault Referral Centre in the State. Several operational guidelines and documents are being rolled out in the GBV space to help social workers and case workers”.
“Another challenge we are combating is to have functional homes and government-run shelters in the State. We have two in Umuahia and one in Aba and we are trying to engage Partners to help us strengthen them.”
In her speech, she reiterated “At the rural and local levels, I have instituted a Coalition of Wives of Local Government Chairmen Against GBV. They have appointed GBV Desk officers and are in the proccess of appointing Protection Officers in the 17 LGAs.”
Mrs. Ikpeazu said the availability of stronger legislation such as the Abia State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law and the Child Rights Law 2006 under review will help to meet modern realities of protecting women and children especially against trafficking and child labour.
The Wife of Governor assured NAPTIP of a supportive environment to ensure they discharge their duties effectively.
In her response, the Commander of NAPTIP Abia, Mrs. Nkem Okafor thanked the Wife of Governor for her efforts to attract NAPTIP to Abia State and providing office spaces for them to kick off operations in the state.
She also commended her efforts in the Gender Based Violence space and her prompt and swift interventions when they occur. She promised the collaboration of NAPTIP with other Agencies and Allies within the State.
In line with 68th session of United Nations General Assembly in 2013 designated 30th July of every year as WORLD DAY AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
The aim is for the State Parties to use such a day to raise awareness on the plight of victims of Human Trafficking and for the promotion and protection of their rights and well being. The theme of this year is: “Victims’ Voices Lead the way”.
The Wife of the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Nkechi Ikpeazu opined that current efforts in ideas, strategies an actions on going in the state will reduce human trafficking to the barest minimum soon.
Speaking as she hosted the State Commandant of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking Against Persons NAPTIP ahead of the 2021 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Mrs. Ikpeazu emphasized that Stakeholders need to give greater attention to victims and employ their experiences in charting ways of combating and preventing the crime. “We need to listen more to the voices of victims even while we focus on bringing their abusers to justice.”
Mrs. Ikpeazu said she is leading robust interventions in the area of sexual and gender based violence, which will deliver an ecosystem in Abia State that will support a reduction in gender based violence including human trafficking and complement the assignment of NAPTIP. “We have a GBV data gathering system that is funded by the UNFPA and domiciled in Ministry of Women Affairs. We have a GBV Resource Centre where ideas, strategies and actions are developed to combat GBV. We have a very active GBV Technical Committee and GBV Action Committee which I am Chair. We are working on setting up our own Sexual Assault Referral Centre in the State. Several operational guidelines and documents are being rolled out in the GBV space to help social workers and case workers”.
“Another challenge we are combating is to have functional homes and government-run shelters in the State. We have two in Umuahia and one in Aba and we are trying to engage Partners to help us strengthen them.”
In her speech, she reiterated “At the rural and local levels, I have instituted a Coalition of Wives of Local Government Chairmen Against GBV. They have appointed GBV Desk officers and are in the proccess of appointing Protection Officers in the 17 LGAs.”
Mrs. Ikpeazu said the availability of stronger legislation such as the Abia State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law and the Child Rights Law 2006 under review will help to meet modern realities of protecting women and children especially against trafficking and child labour.
The Wife of Governor assured NAPTIP of a supportive environment to ensure they discharge their duties effectively.
In her response, the Commander of NAPTIP Abia, Mrs. Nkem Okafor thanked the Wife of Governor for her efforts to attract NAPTIP to Abia State and providing office spaces for them to kick off operations in the state.
She also commended her efforts in the Gender Based Violence space and her prompt and swift interventions when they occur. She promised the collaboration of NAPTIP with other Agencies and Allies within the State.
In line with 68th session of United Nations General Assembly in 2013 designated 30th July of every year as WORLD DAY AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
The aim is for the State Parties to use such a day to raise awareness on the plight of victims of Human Trafficking and for the promotion and protection of their rights and well being. The theme of this year is: “Victims’ Voices Lead the way”.
