Stakeholders involved in the response to gender-based violence in Plateau State have emphasised the need to place survivors at the centre of all interventions while strengthening collaboration among institutions responsible for delivering support services and justice.

The call was made in Jos during a two-day training for State response and referral groups on emergency response and referral pathways, organised under the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme.

The initiative is funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in partnership with Women Aid Collective (WACOL).

The training brought together members of the Gender-Based Violence Management Committee, representatives of government ministries, security agencies, civil society organisations, legal practitioners, the judiciary and other stakeholders as stipulated under Section 45 of the Plateau State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.

Speaking at the workshop, Senior Legal and Programme Officer of WACOL, Helen Kalu, said the training was aimed at enhancing the capacity of frontline responders and strengthening referral systems for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

She noted that discussions during the workshop exposed significant gaps in coordination among service providers, with many stakeholders lacking adequate knowledge of referral pathways and available support services.

“We discovered that many service providers are not aware of the next point of call whenever there are issues of sexual and gender-based violence. That is why we are working towards developing a referral directory that will make access to services easier and ensure survivors receive timely assistance,” Kalu said.

She stressed that survivor welfare must remain the primary focus of every intervention, whether medical, legal or psychosocial.

“In whatever you are doing, your focus should be on the wellbeing of the survivor. When survivors receive the care and support they need, society as a whole benefits,” she added.

Kalu further explained that Plateau State was selected as one of the focal States under the project because of the need to strengthen structures for addressing gender-based violence, including the establishment of a Sexual Assault Referral Centre as provided for under Section 51 of the state’s VAPP Law.

Also speaking, Judge of the Gender Court, Justice Mary Izam, said the training had deepened participants’ understanding of the collaborative framework required to support survivors and ensure effective prosecution of offenders.

She noted that the VAPP Law had created mechanisms designed to protect survivors and improve access to justice but identified weak institutional collaboration as a major challenge.

“Survivors need legal, medical and psychosocial support, and this can only be achieved when all institutions work together and government provides the necessary backing,” Izam said.

She expressed concern over the increasing incidence of sexual violence, particularly cases involving children, and called for urgent and coordinated action to tackle the trend.

The Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Plateau State chapter, Nankus Fyaktu, described the workshop as a critical step towards improving coordination among agencies working to address gender-based violence.

According to her, the training provided an opportunity for stakeholders to strengthen partnerships, improve referral processes and coordinate responses more effectively.

“No single organisation can achieve this alone. The media, lawyers, civil society organisations and government agencies all have critical roles to play. We must work together to ensure justice is served and our society becomes safer for women and children,” she said.

Earlier, the RoLAC State Coordinator, Mantim Dala, said the workshop was organised following consultations and assessments that revealed the need for stronger institutional collaboration in responding to gender-based violence cases.

“No single institution can achieve its mandate in isolation. The objective is to encourage teamwork and improve how institutions respond to gender-based violence issues in Plateau State,” Dala said.

He added that the initiative aligns with the provisions of the Plateau State VAPP Law and is designed to strengthen the effectiveness of institutions charged with protecting vulnerable persons and ensuring justice.

Participants expressed optimism that the training would improve coordination among service providers, strengthen referral mechanisms and enhance support for survivors of gender-based violence across the State.

Some of the topics discussed included guiding principles, disclosure and referral procedures, roles and responsibilities:multi-sectoral support for GBV survivors, addressing the needs of specific groups, documentation, data, and monitoring, among others.