A cross-sector response to sexual and gender based violence in Nigeria

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SARCs are one-stop-shop havens for survivors of sexual violence, providing expert medical and psychological support as well as assistance in seeking redress. In the face of weak security and justice structures and social stigma around sexual assault, survivors of sexual violence in Nigeria face many obstacles in reporting crimes and receiving the medical and legal assistance they require.

Women protest over the killings of their people in Enugu State

  DEDASRI, a member of WIPNET with other Civil Society Organizations stage protest in Enugu State.  The women strongly condemn the killings, rape, abductions and maiming of our people in communities in recent past, especially the killings on April 25th at Nimbo Community of Uzo-Uwani LGA that claimed several lives. The protesters went to the Governor and State House of Assembly to register their anger over the alleged Fulani herdsmen attack on the people of Ukpabi- Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State. 

They urged the Governor and the State House of Assembly members to quickly take urgent actions to protect the lives of Enugu residents.  Also they asked for shelters for the victims who lost their homesto the disaster and quick action to bring such onslaught to an end.

THE KILLING OF INNOCENT PEOPLE OF ENUGU STATE BY FOREIGNERS ALLEGDED TO BE FULANI HERDSMEN

On April 25^th, 2016, the Nimbo community of Uzo-Uwani LGA experienced a great massacre of its people and destruction of properties by foreigners who were alleged to be Fulani Herdsmen grazing cattle in the community and its surroundings. The onslaught was alleged to be as a result of the community’s reaction over the continuous destruction of their farm crops by cattle and raping of their women by these foreigners. It was alleged that the foreigners informed the community of their invasion of which the Governor and the security officers in Enugu state were duly informed. The security personnel was said to have mobilized force and went to the community but could not stay longer as expected and at the time they left the community, the attackers strike and tainted the lives of many people including women, youths and children. Properties which include churches were also destroyed.

DEDASRI strongly condemn this nefarious attack and call on the government which have the mandate to ensure the well-being of its citizens to do everything within its power to bring the perpetrators to book in order to deter future occurrence across the country.

DEDASRI also note with disdain the lapses in the security sector and pray to the authority to take serious measures to cushion the gap and enhance the capacity of the sector to implement on its mandate.

Signed

Enwelum Ogechukwu

Executive Director