The Cross River State House of Assembly has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the legal and institutional framework for preventing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), pledging to review existing laws, enhance legislative oversight, and support policies that ensure justice, protection, and support for survivors.
Speaking during a state-level advocacy visit led by the First Lady of Cross River State, Bishop Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, Speaker Elvert Ayambem described SGBV as a critical social challenge with far-reaching consequences for families, communities, peace, and development.
He assured stakeholders that the Assembly would continue to strengthen legal protections for victims, hold perpetrators accountable, improve oversight of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), advocate increased funding for SGBV interventions, and promote access to justice, rehabilitation, and psychosocial support for survivors.
“The responsibility of eliminating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence rests on all of us. Together, we can build safer communities where every person is treated with dignity and respect,” the Speaker said.
Earlier, the First Lady called for stronger legislative backing to tackle harmful social norms, improve implementation of existing laws, ensure sustained funding for prevention and survivor support programmes, and institutionalise policies that protect vulnerable persons beyond political administrations.
The advocacy visit brought together representatives of the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum, the Ford Foundation, development partners, civil society organisations, and other key stakeholders committed to ending gender-based violence in Cross River State.
