It noted that sexual and gender-based violence remains a serious social challenge whose consequences extend beyond individual victims to families and communities, affecting peace, security and development.
The Cross River State House of Assembly has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the legal and institutional framework for the prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), pledging to review existing laws, intensify legislative oversight and support policies that guarantee justice and protection for victims across the state.
The commitment was made by the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, while receiving the First Lady of Cross River State, Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, Founder of Humanity Without Borders Empowerment Initiative, alongside representatives of the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum, the Ford Foundation, development partners and other stakeholders during a state-level advocacy visit to the Cross River State House of Assembly on preventing harmful social norms that perpetuate Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
Welcoming the delegation to the People’s House, the Speaker commended the First Lady for her sustained advocacy and humanitarian interventions aimed at protecting women, children and other vulnerable groups, describing her efforts as a valuable contribution to promoting social justice and human dignity in Cross River State.
He noted that sexual and gender-based violence remains a serious social challenge whose consequences extend beyond individual victims to families and communities, affecting peace, security and development. He stressed that confronting the menace requires collective action involving government institutions, traditional rulers, faith-based organisations, civil society, the media and the general public.
Ayambem assured the delegation that the legislature would continue to discharge its constitutional responsibility by strengthening legal protections for victims; ensuring offenders are held accountable; intensifying oversight of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies; supporting improved budgetary allocations for SGBV interventions; and promoting access to justice, rehabilitation and psychosocial support for survivors, the speaker’s chief press secretary, Matthew Okache, said in a statement.
“The responsibility of eliminating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence rests on all of us. Together, we can create safer communities where every person is treated with dignity and respect. The Cross River State House of Assembly remains ready to work with all partners in advancing this important cause and ensuring that our laws continue to protect the vulnerable,” the Speaker said.
In her address, Mrs Eyoanwan Bassey Otu expressed appreciation to the Speaker and members of the Assembly for receiving the advocacy team, describing the legislature as an indispensable partner in addressing the root causes of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
She observed that the persistence of SGBV is driven not by the absence of laws but by weak implementation, harmful social norms, inadequate accountability and limited public confidence in institutions responsible for protecting survivors.
The First Lady called on the Assembly to deepen its legislative support by strengthening oversight of relevant agencies, ensuring adequate and sustained funding for prevention and survivor support programmes, reinforcing the implementation of existing laws and considering legislative reforms that respond to emerging challenges.
She emphasised that preventing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence is a public safety priority, a human rights obligation and an essential requirement for sustainable development, urging lawmakers to institutionalise policies that will protect vulnerable persons beyond political administrations.
