Owerri – Amnesty International and legal practitioners in Imo State have called for a more survivor-centred approach in handling Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases, emphasising stronger legal protections and improved support systems for victims.
The appeal was made during a two-day training workshop organised by Amnesty International for lawyers and civil society representatives in Owerri on Thursday.
Helen Adah, an official of Amnesty International, urged participants to prioritise the survivor’s perspective in every GBV case to ensure justice and adequate protection. She described female lawyers as “first responders” who play a pivotal role in supporting victims from the initial point of contact.
“As first points of contact for victims of GBV, legal practitioners can achieve better outcomes through strategic media communication, thorough evidence gathering, and a survivor-centred approach,” Adah said. She noted that Amnesty International had conducted similar capacity-building trainings for GBV stakeholders in Kano and Oyo states.
Chinaka Sunday-Iheruo, Chief State Counsel at the Imo State Ministry of Justice, encouraged survivors to approach the ministry without hesitation for legal assistance. She highlighted the dedication of lawyers in the state who often go beyond their call of duty, including bearing personal expenses, to secure justice for victims.
Resource person Rosemary Hamza stressed the critical importance of effective referral pathways to provide comprehensive support and coordinated responses for survivors. She warned that weak referral systems could heighten trauma, breach confidentiality, and hinder recovery, leaving survivors vulnerable to further violence.
Hamza also urged lawyers to remain steadfast amid family and societal pressures that sometimes discourage survivors from pursuing legal redress.
Phil Amaefule, Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in Imo State, assured that the association’s pro bono lawyers are readily available to assist GBV survivors.
Human rights advocate Ndidi Anike Val-Okeoma called on the Imo State Government to establish a dedicated agency that would create direct referral pathways for survivors. Such an agency, she said, would simplify access to services and act as a stronger deterrent against perpetrators.
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