ATM Network Seeks Strategic Partnership with Ministry to Enhance GBV Survivor Protection

Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka

The AIDS, TB and Malaria (ATM) Network in Anambra State has called for a strengthened collaboration with the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs to boost the state’s efforts in protecting survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and advancing women’s rights.

The group made the call during their meeting with the Permanent Secretary Anambra Ministry of Women and Children Affairs in Awka capital city.

Speaking during the meeting, the State Advocacy Team of the ATM Network led by TB Anambra State Coordinator, Ifeyinwa Unachukwu, emphasized the need for a strategic partnership to address the gaps in community awareness, timely reporting, survivor-centered response, case coordination, and linkage to psychosocial, legal, and medical services.

Unachukwu said the Ministry of Women Affairs remains the statutory lead institution for gender, protection, and GBV response in the State, stressing that effective implementation of GBV-related policies requires support from community-based structures.

She explained that Anambra has continued to record cases of domestic violence, harmful practices, sexual assault, economic abuse, and other forms of violence that disproportionately impact women and girls.

She said the ATM Network, supported by the Global Fund – Community Systems Strengthening (CSS) Component on GBV/GHR, has been working to reduce barriers that limit women, girls, and other at-risk populations from accessing essential health services, especially in relation to GBV and Gender & Human Rights (GHR).

Her words: “The ATM Network is a community-led structure working across Anambra State to improve access to health, human rights, and social protection services for vulnerable groups. 

“Through the Global Fund–supported Community Systems Strengthening (CSS) intervention, the Network plays a critical role in reducing barriers that limit women, girls, and other at-risk populations from accessing essential health services, especially in relation to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Gender & Human Rights (GHR).

“Anambra State continues to record cases of domestic violence, harmful practices, sexual assault, economic abuse, and other forms of violence that disproportionately impact women and girls. 

“Although progress has been made, gaps still persist in community awareness, timely reporting, survivor-centered response, case coordination, and linkage to psychosocial, legal, and medical services.

“The ATM Network seeks strengthened collaboration with the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs to advance the State’s commitment to women’s rights, protect survivors, and accelerate local implementation of the VAPP Law, Child Rights Law, and other policy frameworks.”

Contributing, Anambra State Coordinator of Civil Society Organizations for Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN), Chioma Okeke, said the partnership will help strengthen community-level gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and early reporting mechanisms.

She further emphasized that the collaboration will help to improve referral pathways, enhance documentation and data sharing, and ensure accountability and survivor-centered service delivery across all Local Government Areas (LGAs).

The ATM Network requested the Ministry’s support in developing and disseminating GBV referral pathways, community awareness campaigns, capacity building for ATM focal persons, and strengthened collaboration with relevant agencies.

TB Network State Programme Officer, Onyekachi Ololo said strategic partnership with the Ministry will improve coordination, prevent duplication, and ensure survivors are reached quickly and safely.

Ololo said the expected benefits will include improved survivor safety, increased reporting of GBV cases, reduced community-level stigma and harmful practices, and better harmonized case management.

He reaffirmed ATM Network’s readiness to work hand-in-hand with the Ministry to deepen community protection, strengthen support systems for survivors, and ensure that no woman or girl is left behind.

Permanent Secretary, Chinwe Achugbu, reassured the ministry’s readiness to partner ATM Network and other relevant organizations to amplify the fight against all forms of gender violence. She also reaffirmed the Ministry’s role as the coordinating body for GBV/GHR interventions in the State.

She lauded the ATM Network for its remarkable work in the state and encouraged all partners and stakeholders fighting against GBV/GHR to align with the Ministry for a more cohesive and impactful approach.