2 DAYS CONSULTATIVE ENGAGEMENT FORUM WITH RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS IN EBONYI STATE SELECTED FROM CSOS WORKING ON VAWG/SGBV/HP, WOMEN AND GIRLS RIGHTS ADVOCATES, KEY POPULATIONS INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVES FROM RELEVANT MDAS ON SPOTLIGHT INITIATIVE PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION IN EBONYI STATE.
This meeting was \conducted between 9th and 10 of January, 2020 at Salt Lake Hotel, Abakaliki.
The meeting brought together relevant stakeholders such as representatives from key ministries e.g Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Ministry of youth and Sports and also law enforcement agencies, traditional and religious leaders, Civil Society Organizations and Key populations.
Participants were made to understand the aims, objectives and goal of the Spotlight Initiative project and the Implementation Strategy which aims to reduce violence and harmful practices against women and girls in Nigeria by addressing the linkages between SGBV and HP with related aspects of SRHR as a cross-cutting issue. Focus will be on prevention efforts, particularly addressing the root causes of the two most prevalent harmful practices in Nigeria; child marriage and FGM) through interventions aimed at transforming social norms, attitudes and behaviors (Pillar 3); and ensuring access to inclusive, timely and quality services (Pillar 4) for GBV survivors, providing women and girls with safe spaces and access holistic responses.responses.
The participants were overwhelmed about the project, according to them, the project could not have come at a better time than now, it was emphasised that gender based violence is common in the State, therefore all hands must be on the neck to ensure the achievement of the Spotlight Initiative goal and objectives.
