Fako Gender-Based Violence, Child Protection Plat form push hard to eradicate GBV

BY SIMON NDIVE KALLA

The Limbe chapter of the Fako Gender Based and Child Protection Platform, on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 joined Cameroon and the world to commemorate 16 days of activism with a call to eradicate GBV syndrome.

The clarion call was echoed by the First Assistant Senior Divisional Officer for Fako, Mme Wirkom Maryline. She urged women to put a strong defense against sexual harassment, rape, exploitation, beating, slapping, choking, female genital mutilation, early marriage, among others.

She told the women to report any form of sexual harassment and rape to the authorities in Limbe for sanctions to be meted out to the individual concerned.

The event, which started on Tuesday, November 25, will run till Saturday December 10, 2022. It is tagged under the theme; Unite Activism to end violence against women and girls.

The Divisional Delegate of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, Fako who doubles as the coordinator of the platform mentioned that it constitutes of some partner ministries as well as non-governmental organisations.

Cross section of Fako Gender-Based Violence, Child Protection Platform pose after event in Limbe

She added that December 29, being the international women’s rights defender’s day was just perfect for the launch in Limbe as all the women’s rights activists constitutes the crowd that came out. The all are united to form a strong force to kick GBV out of Fako in general and Limbe in particular.

According to the Limbe chapter president for the Fako GBV/CP Platform, Elvis Wepngong, Fako Gender based Violence Platform and Executive Director of OGCEYOD, NGO said as the ongoing crisis continues to rock the two English Speaking Regions of the country, the level of GBV has significantly increased.

Quizzed why the increase, he said it is because survivors are being picked from the rural areas and brought to the city to maltreat them.

“Vulnerable ladies who don’t have a place to move in, they’re being assisted and before you know they’re being violated. So, we know that it was becoming more rampant and the rate of sexual violence has significantly increased”

He added that they thought it wise to educate the population about the after effects of the rising phenomenon in the society.

On her part, the Divisional Delegate of Women Empowerment and the family explained that, it was internal right defense day.

“Every woman you see here today is actually a women’s right defender and is our day. So, for inFako, we’re operating the divisional platform for the fight against Gender-Based Violence, GBV, and for child protection. Under the ministry of women empowerment, cross section of the women for gender desk at the central Police Station, civil society organisations are amongst us.

The event brought together teenage girls, women, ministry of women empowerment, cross section of the women for gender desk of the central police station, civil society organisations among others, marched from Mile I Hospital down to Church Street, New Town, Manga Williams Avenue and ended at the Senior Divisional Office, S.D.O Down Beach.

The women carried placards with inscriptions like; speak out against GVB, protect our women and stop GBV, unite let stop violence against women and girls, end GBV among others.

Meanwhile Limunga Elimbi from the central police station Limbe said there have been rampant complains of sexual assault, rape, early pregnancy at her station. She urged the population to denounce such practices by reporting the perpetrators and safeguarding the survivors.

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