Key stakeholders in Ebonyi State have agreed to establish a unified framework for addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and child trafficking. The framework aims to strengthen coordinated responses and improve access to services for survivors.
The resolution was reached after a meeting of GBV taskforce members, including security agencies, civil society organisations, and representatives from the ministries of health and education. The taskforce members identified gaps and challenges in the current response mechanisms and agreed to develop actionable strategies to improve GBV and child trafficking responses.
The stakeholders also resolved to conduct regular training for relevant actors to ensure effective responses and improve the capacity of institutions handling GBV and trafficking cases. They agreed to improve data sharing and documentation systems to strengthen the evidence base required for prevention strategies and policy formulation.
The Ministry of Health will lead the development of a harmonised referral protocol, while security agencies will designate focal persons for GBV and trafficking cases. Civil society organisations and human rights groups will intensify community-level awareness campaigns to educate the public on GBV prevention and available support systems for survivors.
The Ebonyi State GBV taskforce's commitment to a unified referral framework is a crucial step towards addressing the scourge of GBV and child trafficking in the state. Faithvin Nwanchor's call for organisations to designate GBV focal persons to streamline referral pathways and improve access to services is a concrete implication of this initiative, which could lead to better outcomes for survivors.
