The Cross River State House of Assembly has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the legal and institutional framework for preventing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), pledging to review existing laws, intensify legislative oversight, and support policies that ensure justice and protection for survivors.
The assurance was given by the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, during an advocacy visit by the First Lady of Cross River State, Bishop Dr. Mrs. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, Founder of the Humanity Without Borders Empowerment Initiative, alongside representatives of the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum, the Ford Foundation, development partners, and other stakeholders.
Receiving the delegation at the Assembly Complex in Calabar, the Speaker commended the First Lady for her sustained advocacy and humanitarian interventions aimed at protecting women, children, and other vulnerable groups, describing her efforts as a significant contribution to social justice and human dignity in the state.
Ayambem noted that Sexual and Gender-Based Violence remains a major social challenge with far-reaching consequences for families, communities, peace, and development. He stressed that addressing the menace requires collective action involving government institutions, traditional rulers, faith-based organisations, civil society groups, the media, and citizens.
He assured the advocacy team that the Assembly would continue to strengthen legal protections for survivors, hold offenders accountable, intensify oversight of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, support improved funding for SGBV interventions, and promote access to justice, rehabilitation, and psychosocial support for victims.
“The responsibility of eliminating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence rests on all of us. Together, we can build safer communities where every individual is treated with dignity and respect,” the Speaker said.
Earlier, the First Lady thanked the Speaker and members of the Assembly for receiving the delegation, describing the legislature as a critical partner in tackling the root causes of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
She observed that the persistence of SGBV is driven more by weak implementation of existing laws, harmful social norms, inadequate accountability, and limited public confidence in institutions than by the absence of legislation.
Bishop Eyoanwan Otu called on lawmakers to strengthen oversight of relevant agencies, ensure sustained funding for prevention and survivor support programmes, reinforce the implementation of existing laws, and consider legislative reforms that address emerging challenges.
She further emphasised that preventing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence is not only a human rights obligation but also a public safety and development priority, urging the Assembly to institutionalise policies that will continue to protect vulnerable persons beyond successive administrations.
