The Technical Working Group, (TWG) has lamented on the absence of available data on people that has suffered from Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Kogi State.
The Chairperson, TWG of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Kogi State Mrs Modupe Stella-Maris Andi made this known on Tuesday at a meeting held in Lokoja.
Andi, while noting that alot of people have suffered from this societal menace in Kogi State said their is no available data to back it up for documentation.
Andi, who doubles as the Permanent Secretary, Kogi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development explained that, when their is available data, it will enable Kogi State to know their place in the fight against Sexual and Gender based violence in Kogi State
She further lamented that, Gender Based Violence is currently on the increase across the State due to lack of available data, hence the need for synergy among all stakeholders to reduce this problem in our society.
In her address, the President, Medical Women Association of Nigeria, (MWAN) Kogi State Chapter Ibiyeye Taiye opined that, data collation is always an issue for documentation due to paucity of funds.
She suggested the employment of research assistance to reduce the burden of data collection and input as it concerns Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Kogi State
According to her, adding data collection to one work load takes a lot of commitment to achieve desirable result.
On his part, the Chairperson, Kogi Non-Governmental Organization Network, (KONGONET) Amb. Idris Ozovehe Muraina drew the attention of the group at the spate people with disabilities are suffering from Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the State.
He recall what happened in the Central part of Kogi State were a suspect allegedly killed his wife who has disabilities.
“People with disabilities are suffering alot as a result of Gender Based Violence. The incident that happened recently in Kogi Central is one out of many. It is important for us to put our heads together to reduce this negative trend” he stated.
Muraina, however, called for the sensitization of people and capacity building across the 21 Local Government Area of Kogi State on the right of people with disabilities since they are also victim of Gender Based Violence in the State.