Mrs Hafsat Ayavga, Officer-in-Charge of the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Centre at the Benue Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, has advised visitors to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps to avoid dressing flamboyantly when visiting the camps.
Ayavga gave the advice during a meeting organised by the JASPI Health and Gender Development Initiative, in collaboration with UNICEF, on Friday.
Supreme news reports that the meeting was to plan strategies for preventing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) in the state.
She said that dressing in flashy clothes while visiting IDPs often made the displaced persons uncomfortable and deepened feelings of inequality.
“Visitors should show empathy and humility. Treat IDPs as human beings, not as charity cases. Avoid discrimination or shouting when they speak to you,” she said.
The Director of Women Affairs, Mrs Magdalene Andor, called for more awareness campaigns to tackle SGBV, noting that the problem was not limited to rural areas.
“SGBV is not only in the villages; it is also common here in Makurdi. We must keep engaging communities to stop it,” she said.
Also speaking, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ministry of Justice, Mrs Maureen Igyor, said that cases of sexual violence could not be withdrawn once reported to the ministry.
“Even if the complainant or witnesses lose interest, the police and available evidence can sustain the case to ensure offenders face justice,” she said.
UNICEF Child Protection Specialist Mr Victor Atuchukwu expressed concern that some camp officials were abusing their positions to exploit displaced girls and women.
He explained that gender-based violence targeted individuals based on their gender, while sexual exploitation involved using power or trust for sexual or financial gain.
The Executive Director of JASPI, Mrs Patricia Suswam, said her organisation was partnering with UNICEF to strengthen cooperation among ministries and agencies in tackling SGBV in Benue.
She added that the aim was to protect IDP communities and ensure stronger government action against gender-based violence, which she said was increasing in displacement camps.