By Lucy Ackanyon
Wife of Benue State Governor, Dr Eunice Ortom, has inaugurated a committee that will work out modalities for the effective implementation of the Benue State Sexual and Gender Based Policy.
The 22-member committee which comprises persons from Civil Society Organisations (CSO), traditional institution, the government, Policy etc, is expected to swing into action immediately.
Speaking during the inauguration recently at the mini Conference Hall, Benue Peoples House, Dr Ortom decried the spate of sexual and gender-based violence in Benue State
Dr Ortom said that, “though the Violence Against Persons Prohibition, VAPP, has been signed into law, the rising cases of SGBV in the state is alarming”
She expressed the confidence that right hands have been coopted into the committee stressing that, “With the high power delegation in this committee, I am confident that the state is right on course to defeat this social menace”
“The committee will put in place modalities and join forces with other organisations with similar mandate to scale up the fight against gender-based violence in the State”, she explained.
In response, Chairman of the Committee, Dr Magdalene Dura, assured that the committee would work round the clock and assiduously to deliver on the mandate given to it.
Dr Dura, noted that the committee will not fail to prosecute any perpetrator of gender-based violence, noting that search light would be focused on both men and women.
The Chairman further eulogized the commitment and dedication of Dr Ortom to ensuring the peace and development of women and girls in Benue State.
In another reaction, a member of the committee and officer in charge of gender unit of the Benue State Police Command SP Ann Ameh, noted that her membership of the committee had engendered more boldness in her to fight SBGV cases which flood her office on a daily basis.
