The Federal Government of Nigeria, European Union and Anambra State Government have begun a strong partnership to eradicate Gender Based Violence in the country.

Hajiya Hadiza Aminu Dorayi, Technical Assistant to the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, disclosed this in Awka during the inaugural meeting of the Gender Based Violence Response Committee in Anambra State comprising resource persons from the Ministry of Justice, Women Affairs, Health and the Nigeria Police Force, among others.

Hajiya Dorayi said that one of the priorities of the Vice President is to see that Sexual and Domestic Violence Response teams are set up across the country that will provide better social protection for women and children.

She said: “The purpose of today’s meeting is to understand the roles and responsibilities of each sector and to agree on immediate actions that can help us to reach our shared vision.

“Our immediate priority is training of civil servants who will be in direct contacts with gender violence victims, policy improvements and sensitising public so that people are aware that gender violence is not something that will be condoned and accepted.”

Hajiya Dorayi thanked European Union and the British Council Rule of Law and Anti Corruption Programme for their partnership with the Federal Government, noting that proper implementation of the five-year work plan for gender violence response in Anambra State will be sustained over the next five years.

She disclosed that the Office of the Vice President will continue to work with states across the country to enhance access to justice and social protection for women and children.

•Hajiya Hadiza Dorayi with representatives of Ministries of Health and Justice in Anambra during the meeting