Anambra SPARC Commits to More Action on SGBV with 213 Offenders Listed
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Service Providers Accountability Resource Committee (SPARC) has resolved to intensify advocacy and intervention efforts to curb Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Anambra State.
The committee made the pledge on Wednesday during its biannual meeting at the Ministry of Justice, Jerome Udorji Secretariat, Awka, the State capital.
The meeting, supported by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC) with funding from the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), was convened as part of the committee’s mandate, aimed to review progress, assess gaps, and strengthen the multi-sectoral response to SGBV.
In her remarks, RoLAC State Coordinator, Dr. Josephine Onah, represented by Mr. James Osubor, said the meeting is part of her organization’s commitment to promoting access to justice for vulnerable groups.
“We are here to support. It is part of our initiative to promote access to justice for vulnerable groups – women, girl-child, persons with disabilities. We believe that supporting platforms like this promotes our fight against GBV and improves reporting,” he said.
Anambra State SPARC Coordinator, Ambassador Rachel Yohanna, during her remark, disclosed that names of over 200 individuals convicted of sexual gender-based violence in the state have already been entered into the state’s online sex offenders register.
“When we started the SPARC programme, Anambra State’s sexual offenders dashboard was empty. As at February last year, we had only 17 names entered. But today, we have 213 names on the dashboard.
“We are not rejoicing that people’s names are being added and shamed. It is to serve as a deterrent to others intending to commit such crime. We are employing every tool to stop the crime and prevent more names from being entered,” she said.
Yohanna warned citizens to desist from all forms of sexual abuse and violence, stressing that anyone found guilty will not only face prosecution but will also have their name made public on the platform.
She urged parents, community leaders, schools, and religious institutions to join in sensitizing the public, noting that preventing more names from being added to the register must be a collective responsibility.
Discussions at the meeting focused on the need for high-level advocacy, increased awareness and sensitization, and community ownership of the campaign. Participants were also urged to report suspected cases, access the Sex Offenders Register, and take part in community sensitization as part of a collective responsibility to build safer communities.
