Cases of Gender inequality and the resultant Gender Based Violence is high in Nsukka Diocese. To curb this menace, JDPC Nsukka sought and got a year project from Caritas Nigeria through Catholic Relief Services on Reducing GBV Incidences in Nsukka Diocese. However, during this project life circle that ended in July 2022, JDPC Nsukka rolled out different program interventions that are geared towards curbing SGBV within Nsukka Diocese. Some of these program interventions include the following:
SGBV Sensitization campaigns for gender equality and the promotion of girl child education in schools, churches, rural communities, marketplaces, and hospitals:
During these campaigns in schools, churches and rural communities, people were sensitized against gender-based violence and the need to break the culture of silence by reporting cases to appropriate agencies for immediate actions. These campaigns were estimated to have reached over thirty-five thousand (35,000) people within Nsukka Diocese. The facilitators of the campaigns also used the opportunities to give out JDPC contacts to the public for their report of SGVB cases.
- Formation, training, and inauguration of SGBV rapid response teams in communities and church institutions to respond to SGBV cases within the communities
To response quickly on GBV cases within communities in Nsukka Diocese, JDPC Nsukka formed and trained members of GBV rapid response teams in all the thirteen deaneries of the diocese and some parishes to respond to emergency SGBV cases within their communities. These teams were given the entire required SOP for responding to SGBV cases and the contacts of other relevant agencies for referral of cases.
- Training and strengthening of existing Child Protection Committees in communities:
The organization continued the strengthening of its existing Child Protection Committees in communities to respond to cases of Child abuse, and other forms of child exploitations within the diocese. These committees in communities were properly enlightened on their expected duties and functions within their communities. These grassroots committees now submit monthly reports of all the cases they handle to JDPC Nsukka and equally refer cases to the organization.
Formation of child Protection Committees and Gender-Based Violence Response Teams in Communities
Protection of children against all forms of abuse and maltreatment in communities, the organization went further to establish, trained, and inaugurate members of child protection committees in communities in Nsukka and made the traditional rulers the head of the committee to address all case of child abuse, and neglect from the grassroots. These committees in communities were properly enlightened on their expected duties and functions within their communities. These grassroots committees now submit monthly reports of the cases they handle to the JDPC Nsukka and equally refer cases to the organization.
- Linkage of survivors of SGBV to appropriate government and other non-governmental agencies
Within the year 2022, the organization received 52 cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. These were cases of confirmed rape, attempted rape, wife battering, child abuse, deprivation of personal belongings and economic trees because of no male child, and other family conflicts. Through our linkages with relevant bodies, the organization secured justice to many of the GBV survivors. In addition, to ensure rapid response to cases of GBV and adequate child protection networks at the grassroots, the organization strengthened all its SGBV Rapid Response Teams and Child Protection Committees in communities and parishes for adequate respond to GBV cases and cases of child abuse from the grassroots. Alternatively, to refer them to the appropriate agencies for further actions. These mechanisms have yielded positive results as survivors of GBV now proudly report their cases to appropriate committees within their communities and the right actions taken.
- Interventions in marriage conflicts and reconciliations
JDPC Nsukka also worked in collaboration with the church tribunal to handle 24 cases of marriage conflicts. In all these case, 19 families have been reconciled back and now live in peace and harmony.
- Interventions in cases of abuse, deprivation, and land disputes:
Within the year, the organization received 22 cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and 54 cases of land disputes. On the case of GBV, they are mainly cases of confirmed rape, attempted rape, wife battering, child abuse, deprivation of personal belongings and economic trees because of no male child, and other family conflicts. Out of these cases, JDPC Nsukka referred eighteen (18) of these cases to social welfare department, ministry of Gender and Women Affairs, Women Aid Collective, Nigerian Police, the Court system, and the church’s Tribunal. Through these linkages, the organization secured justice to many of the GBV survivors and two of the perpetrators of rape case are currently at the Police custody attending court trial. Also, to ensure rapid response to cases of GBV and adequate child protection networks at the grassroot, the organization has formed nine SGBV rapid response teams and Child Protection Committees in communities and parishes to adequately respond to GBV cases and cases of child abuse from the grassroot or to refer them to the appropriate agencies or the organization for further actions.
- Marriage seminars for new couples
To minimize the high rate of divorce, separations, and marriage conflicts, JDPC Nsukka collaborated with the church tribunal department to organize routine marriage seminars for new couples and about-to-wed parishioners. They also used the platforms to enlighten the participants on the realities of family life and the need for tolerance, love, and effective communication in marriage
- Provision of Legal identity to children with No Birth Certificates:
Within the year 2022, JDPC Nsukka further created awareness on the importance of birth registration to families in destitution enrolled in our 4Gates OVC project. And after the awareness creation, the organization went further to have an engagement meeting with the coordinator of the National Population Commission of the local government for the facilitation of the birth registration of children that was referred to the commission. This engagement meeting yielded positive result as all the one thousand eight hundred and five (1805) children referred to the NpopC office got their birth certificates without paying any fee.