The Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, has reassured partners and other stakeholders, of his government’s political will and commitment to ensure the success of the second phase of the Spotlight project.
Penpushing reports that the Governor made this known at an event held on October 26, 23 as the European Union-United Nations spotlight initiative to end violence against women and girls closed out.
The Governor represented by the Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Moses Odunwa informed that the state is well prepared to take up the second phase of the spotlight initiative project.
Penpushing further reports that he added that the state government is well equipped to support the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and other partners to make the second phase a success.
The Governor reassured all stakeholders and the people of Ebonyi State that the signing of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, was not a joke, emphasizing that the law would be implemented and enforced.
‘The state government is committed to the full actualization of the VAPP Act. If there is any gap in the implementation of the VAPP law, the state government stand ready to address such gaps’, the Governor emphasized.
Penpushing also reports that United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) representative at the event, Ms Regine Priso, urged the Ebonyi State Government to take active steps to sustain the gains of the first phase of the spotlight initiative project.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) representative noted that the state government performed well, adding that the next phase can only be better considering the enabling environment provided by the Governor and the first lady of the state.
Penpushing reports that she highlighted some of the achievements of the Spotlight project in Ebonyi State which include establishment of the National Gender-Based Violence Data Situation Room and Dashboard; one-stop centre; safe spaces; and the second chance education programme which reached 25,000 girls and young women, including boys and men in the state; among many others.
The National Spotlight Coordinator Ms Anu John, in her remarks noted that the spotlight initiative project had led to notable progress towards gender equality in Nigeria, recalling that in 2020, the country saw a significant reduction in Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases, as well as an increase in reporting of such cases.
Penpushing further reports that John, said this progress is reflected in the Global Gender Gap reports, with Nigeria rising to 128 out of 153 countries in 2020, stating that the country had climbed 16 places in the 2022 global gender gap index, reaching the 123rd position out of 146 countries.
“Furthermore, Nigeria has climbed 16 places in the 2022 global gender gap index, reaching the 123rd position out of 146 countries. This represents a substantial improvement from its ranking of 139th out of 156 countries in 2021’, she added.
Penpushing also reports that the hand-over ceremony featured screening of a television documentary on the achievements and impacts of spotlight initiative in Ebonyi State, and beneficiaries’ testimonials, while the state cultural troupe presented a stage performance on ending Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The statement made available by the National Information Officer of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Dr Seyi Soremekun explained that the joint European Union/United Nations spotlight initiative, aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls and harmful practices was launched in 2019, with implementation focusing on five states: Adamawa, Cross-River, Ebonyi, Lagos, and Sokoto, plus the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
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