RismadarVoice Reporters
June 2, 2026
The Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice has flagged off the 2026 Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Awareness Month with a renewed call for stronger implementation of laws aimed at protecting vulnerable persons and ending gender-based violence across the state.
The event, held at the Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat in Uyo, featured the theme: “Implementing the Akwa Ibom State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law: From Awareness to Action.”
Declaring the month-long awareness campaign open, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Uko Udom (SAN), said the initiative was designed to reaffirm the state government’s commitment to the welfare and protection of all citizens, particularly vulnerable groups affected by gender-based violence.
Udom noted that the observance provides an opportunity to intensify efforts toward eliminating crimes such as rape, domestic abuse, child molestation and other forms of violence against persons.
He commended the Director of the Gender and Sexual-Based Violence Response Department, Barrister Emem Ette, for her dedication and contributions to the fight against gender-based violence since the enactment of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law in 2020.
The Attorney General highlighted several achievements recorded under the law, including the establishment of a Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Department, prosecution of offenders, creation of shelters for survivors, and the construction of a Sexual Assault Referral Centre to provide immediate medical assistance to victims.
Speaking on the theme of the campaign, Udom stressed that awareness alone would not end gender-based violence, urging stakeholders to focus on effective implementation and enforcement of existing laws.
He also advocated the protection of survivors’ identities during legal proceedings and called on courts to exercise discretion in handling gender-based violence cases to prevent further trauma to victims.
According to him, the state government remains committed to ending impunity and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.
Earlier, the Director of the Gender and Sexual-Based Violence Response Department and Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State Gender-Based Violence Management Committee, Barrister Emem Ette, expressed appreciation to the Attorney General for his support in strengthening legal and policy frameworks aimed at protecting survivors and prosecuting offenders.
Ette expressed concern over what she described as an increase in cases of rape, domestic violence, child abuse and economic coercion, warning that offenders would face the full weight of the law.
She disclosed that the ministry has handled about 2,000 gender-based violence cases since 2020 and secured approximately 100 convictions.
According to statistics released by the ministry, 69 cases were recorded in 2020, 141 in 2021, and 316 in 2022. The figures rose to 368 cases in 2023, 465 in 2024, and 318 in 2025, while 161 cases have been recorded so far in 2026.
Ette also revealed that the ministry recently collaborated with traditional rulers to develop community bylaws aimed at addressing gender-based violence at the grassroots level.
She called on government agencies, traditional institutions, civil society organisations and community leaders to strengthen collaboration in combating the menace, while urging survivors to speak out and report incidents for prompt intervention and justice.
