Stakeholders Seek Training On Evidence Gathering To Strengthen SGBV Cases

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and Talitha Cumi Foundation (TCF), an NGO, have canvassed for advanced training on evidence gathering on Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) to strengthen prosecution of such cases in court.

They made the call in Abuja while commemorating the 16 days of activism to end GBV, with a theme, ” Unite! Activism to end Violence against Women and Girls” .

Both groups said that such enlightenment, especially for women, would aide diligent prosecution of GBV cases.

The event was organised by TCF, under its “Flashlight Actions on Girls Safety (FLAGS)’,’ project funded by UN Trust Fund to encourage stakeholders make their commitments and pledges to end all forms of GBV.

Ms Chibuzor Nwosu, Chairperson FIDA Abuja branch, stressed the need for more enlightenment to enable women aware of the importance of preserving evidence to ensure perpetrators of GBV are prosecuted.

Nwosu said phones and other ICT gadgets should also be used to document and preserve evidences of violence, which would be used in prosecuting the matter, even when physical evidence were not visible.

She also advised against washing away any evidence of sexual violence and taking the survivors to the hospital first for evidence gathering before reporting to the police.

According to her, the FCT judiciary recently signed the new Judiciary Practice direction to tackle and accelerate prosecution of SGBV.

Also, Mrs Tayo Erinle, TCF’s Executive Director, said the organisation has trained facilitators at the community level on how to prevent, respond and refer GBV cases.

She said the 2022 theme for the campaign was apt, as it highlighting the need for collaborative efforts to end the menace in the society.

Chief of Idu Community, Alhaji Mohammed Bawa, reiterated the commitment of traditional leaders in ending GBV in communities.

According to, Mr Zephaniah Boyi, Youths Chairman, New Nyaya said, love should come from the family so that they will be free and comfortable enough to confide, when they are faced with challenges.

Boyi said that his community held weekly meetings with members and other stakeholders to sensitise people on the effects of GBV and the appropriate channel to seek help.

Other highlights were panel discussions on realities and experiences of adolescents girls in the community reporting GBv, community accountability in addressing GBV and signing of pledge to unite against GBV.