Amnesty International partners with female lawyers in Imo State to combat gender-based violence

Amnesty International has collaborated with female lawyers in Imo State to enhance prevention and response efforts against gender-based violence. During a capacity-building event in Owerri, Helen Addah, Human Rights Education Officer of Amnesty International, stated that the training aims to equip lawyers with skills in media engagement, information gathering, and survivor protection. She emphasized the importance of implementing policies and laws on gender-based violence, particularly utilizing the Sexual Assault Referral Centre to provide necessary services for survivors. Addah highlighted that a human rights-based approach could significantly reduce gender-based violence in the state. Rosemary Hamza, a resource person, stressed the need for effective referral pathways for survivors, noting that these pathways are crucial for connecting survivors with coordinated services addressing their physical, emotional, legal, and social needs. She urged lawyers to track and report violence cases to deter offenders, explaining that effective referral systems prevent delays, fragmented services, repeated questioning, and breaches of confidentiality for survivors. Ndidi Anike Val-Okeoma, former Chairperson of FIDA, described the training as vital for female lawyers in handling and advocating for gender-based violence cases. She added that trained lawyers would educate society on how to respond to gender-based violence issues, including understanding referral pathways, and emphasized the