Caritas reassures commitment to gender justice, child protection

Caritas Nigeria, a faith-based organization, has reiterated its commitment to advancing gender justice and child protection.

Dr. Chukwuemeka Amuta, the Team Leader for Caritas Nigeria in Abia State, made this declaration in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, following a dialogue focused on these critical issues.

The Multi-Stakeholders Dialogue on Gender and Child Protection, held on Monday at the Aguiyi Ironsi Conference Centre in Umuahia, Abia State, was part of the global 2024 campaign for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

The event, which carried the theme “UNITE! Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls,” attracted various stakeholders to address the challenges of gender-based violence and child protection.

Dr. Amuta, emphasizing Caritas Nigeria’s leadership role, highlighted the organization’s significant work in providing comprehensive HIV treatment and care services in Abia State under the CDC/PEPFAR program.

He also noted Caritas Nigeria’s achievements in addressing gender-based violence (GBV), having provided post-GBV care to over 2,500 survivors, addressing their immediate needs for safety and recovery.

Amuta called for more focused efforts to translate policies into actionable plans and urged stakeholders to use the dialogue as a platform for building consensus and improving collaborative efforts.

Dr. Charles Ukauwa, delivering the keynote address, shed light on the pressing challenges of gender-based violence and child abuse in Abia State.

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He pointed out significant gaps in the enforcement of laws and coordination of efforts, emphasizing the need for reforms to strengthen legal and institutional responses.

He proposed the establishment of forensic centers for managing evidence, specialized courts for GBV cases, and effective referral centers for immediate violence response.

Ukauwa also stressed the importance of addressing cultural norms through legal, policy, and behavioral changes, as well as the need to redefine the Ministry of Women Affairs to better support these initiatives.

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He emphasized the crucial role of families, religious institutions, traditional leaders, and the hospitality industry in supporting gender justice and child protection efforts.