Group vows to shame more sex offenders in 2026
Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka
The Service Providers and Accountability Resource Committee (SPARC) in Anambra State has pledged to intensify efforts to improve reporting of sexual gender-based violence (SGBV) cases and shame more offenders in 2026.
The group made the vow at its quarterly review meeting organized by the Habiba Dangana (Hadis) Foundation under the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA).
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Anambra SPARC Coordinator, Rachael Yohanna, said the quarterly meeting was a chance for committee members and partners to review progress, reflect on achievements, and set plans for progress of their activity in the state.
She said her group made significant progress in combating SGBV in 2025, with the state’s sex offenders register surpassing 130 names, attributing the increase to growing awareness and reporting.
“We started with few members when the Sexual Offenders Register launched, but now we have over 130 persons recorded. SPARC’s sensitization efforts have raised awareness, making people know help is available and justice is accessible, leading to more consistent reporting,” she said.
Despite the growing successes, Yohanna lamented that security officials’ monetary demands and their handling of sexual offence cases as “settlements” have hindered efforts to bring perpetrators to justice. She also complained that presence of by-laws in some communities have continued to silence survivors and prevent them from reporting their cases.
Her words, “We have faced challenges with the reporting process and how cases are treated. Some security operatives try to treat cases with settlements, when they are meant for the state to handle. Some officers’ financial demands often make victims want to pull out.
“Other problems are in communities. Some have by-laws that silence survivors, preventing them from reporting abuse. This silence makes us unaware of these cases and prevents the state from intervening and delivering justice.”
Yohanna stressed the need for increased collaboration with religious leaders, community leaders, security agencies, and media to amplify awareness and sensitization efforts, ensuring survivors receive support and perpetrators are held accountable.
Hadis Foundation Programme Officer Innocent Kalu praised Anambra SPARC’s efforts and achievements, noting that the meeting has set an agenda that will address gaps and challenges in the state in the coming year.
“The meeting looked at the role of SPARC in combating sexual gender-based violence in the state, Anambra referral pathway, and the action plans for next year.
“We reviewed successes, challenges, and drafted an agenda to address them, ensuring progress in the fight against SGBV in Anambra State,” he said.
Part of the exercise carried out at the meeting was review of the translated Igbo and Pidgin versions of the Anambra State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law.
“We have been able to simplify it so that anyone that says he is not able to read and understand English, will be able to understand pidgin or Igbo. We even have braille and images for persons with disabilities,” Kalu added.
