CROSS RIVER, U N WOMEN SYNERGISE TO FIGHT GBV.

By: Rekpene Uket.

Cross River State Ministry of Women Affairs in collaboration with UN Women have reiterated their commitment to take the fight against Gender -Based Violence to the next level in Cross River State.

 The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Edema Irom  stated the resolve during a Press Briefing at the Chieftaincy Hall of Akamkpa Local Government Council in Cross River State as part of the activities in commemoration of 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender -Based Violence.

Addressing the Press, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Edema Irom commended UN Women for their unwavering support towards gender responsive activities such as the training of Akamkpa Traditional Rulers on Guidelines for Elimination of GBV and other harmful Cultural Practices as well as the promotion of policies that enhance women's rights and empowerment.

 Hon. Irom stated that this year's theme for 16 Days of Activism " Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls" calls for strengthening of partnership with UN Women, Traditional Institutions and other relevant stakeholders towards eliminating violence against women and girls in the digital space as well as other forms of GBV.

 Hon. Irom also informed members of the Press that other activities lined up for this year's 16Days of Activism include; Advocacy Visit to the state Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Commissioner of Police, National Union of Road Transport Workers, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command to seek for more collaboration to curb trafficking of women and girls along the water ways as well as Traditional Institutions in Cocoa producing areas to seek for interventions in curbing the menace of child labour where children are abandoning the schools for cheap labour in Cocoa farms among others.

 The Commissioner also informed that Cross River State recorded 800 GBV cases in 2025 with 5 convictions while about 100 cases are pending in court.

She therefore called on the media, non -state GBV Actors as well as other stakeholders to amplify their voices towards the implantation of existing laws such as the VAPP Law and the Child Rights Law in order to eliminate GBV in Cross River State adding that, the fight against GBV is a collective responsibility of all.