GBV: NAPTIP Commander Shares Success Stories in Bayelsa
Abieyuwa Ikhidero, Bayelsa state commander of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, NAPTIP shares success stories of the agency in ending violence against women and girls in Bayelsa State in this exclusive interview with our correspondent, Victor Oroyi. Excerpts.
What are the impact of the 16 days of Activism in Bayelsa State?
The impact is enormous, right from this Opolo market that we came to raise awareness on how to end violence against persons particularly women and children. From here, we have started getting information about cases, people have started reporting to us, so from here, when we get to the office, we are going to address the cases. So the impact is enormous.
We have spoken to many persons and people are now aware that gender based violence is evil, there is a need for all of us to come together to put an end to violence especially against women and children in Bayelsa State, we should not remain mute, we should speak up. We tell people that when they are going through violence, speak up, if you don’t, you may die there.
Bayelsa State government has domesticated the VAPP Act, how have the act helped to achieve speedy dispensation of justice for survivors?
Many of the perpetrators now know that violence against persons is evil and they may be jailed for that so many of them are beginning to withdraw from that act, many have started having a behavioral change towards gender based violence.
They are now seeking for substitutes or solutions, instead of hitting a woman or your partner, there are other ways that you can resolve issues.
What has been the success story of NAPTIP since your assumption of office?
Since, we came on board on the 7th of June 2021, we have many success stories. Before now, the people in the state did not have a place to report gender based violence and human trafficking but now many residents are aware that NAPTIP is in the state, located at the Federal Secretariat, Oxbow lake, at anytime, they can come in to report cases of gender based violence.
Also, the people of Bayelsa State that were trafficked to other states and outside the country have been brought back to unite with their families. NAPTIP did all these without taking money from anyone, without any charge rather, we spent money with support from our international partners.
Most of the young girls were trafficked by land to Libya but when they were rescued, we brought them back through air transportation, we safely returned them to their families.
Why is there still increase in violence against women and children in Bayelsa State despite all these campaigns and awareness?
This is still happening because many have refused to speak up. Many would say they don’t want their families to be labeled negatively. Many don’t want that to be labeled but they are dying slowly. We are happy that people in the state now know where to report these cases, if they can’t get to us, they can get to our other stakeholders and report such cases.
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