By Stella Anekwe
The Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare has trained selected staff from its eight departments on the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law and other key issues relating to sexual violence, as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s response to gender-based violence.
The two-day capacity-building workshop, held on July 23 and 25 at Don Ritz Hotel, Udoka Estate, Awka, was approved by the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Hon. Chinyere Esther Onyekesi. Staff from the Social Welfare, Women Affairs, Rehabilitation, and Child Development departments formed the largest group of participants due to the nature of their responsibilities.
Participants were encouraged to work collaboratively and effectively communicate accurate information on sexual violence in both formal and informal community settings. They were urged to engage residents, raise awareness, and promote timely reporting of sexual violence cases.
Speaking during the workshop, the Project Coordinator of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Belgium, Bob Francis Makalande, represented by Health Promotion Supervisor Jane Ibezim, said the organization provides free and confidential medical and psychological support to survivors of sexual violence at the Primary Health Centre, Mgbakwu, in Awka North Local Government Area.
According to him, the facility operates from monday to friday, offering medical care, post-violence prevention treatment, mental health services, emotional support, and mental health education for men, women, and children affected by sexual violence. The workshop, themed “Social Welfare Workshop: Sexual Violence Awareness Raising and Community Engagement,” was sponsored by MSF Belgium.
Also speaking, MSF Health Promotion Officer, Eric Nwabugo, stressed the importance of encouraging survivors to seek medical attention within 72 hours of an incident to improve treatment outcomes. He emphasized that perpetrators of sexual violence must be brought to justice and urged participants to report cases to the appropriate authorities while ensuring survivors’ privacy and confidentiality.
Other facilitators also highlighted the psychological and emotional effects of sexual violence, including guilt, fear, recurring traumatic thoughts, dissociation, hopelessness, hypervigilance, anxiety, depression, and, in severe cases, psychotic disorders. They called for greater community awareness and improved support systems for survivors.
Stella Anekwe is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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