Breaking The Silence: AKS Government Targets Cultural Barriers, Calls For Stronger Protection Of GBV Survivors

 

By Asuquo Edem 

The Akwa Ibom State Government has intensified its campaign against gender-based violence, identifying harmful cultural practices, societal stigma and weak protection mechanisms as major obstacles in the fight against abuse, while calling for stronger safeguards for survivors seeking justice.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom (SAN), made the call on Tuesday during the flag-off of the 2026 Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Awareness Month in Uyo, declaring that the state must move beyond awareness campaigns to deliberate actions that dismantle the social and cultural structures enabling violence against women, children and other vulnerable persons.

Speaking on the theme, "Implementing the AKS VAPP Law: From Awareness to Action," Udom said six years after the enactment of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, the state has recorded significant progress in encouraging survivors to report abuse, but warned that cultural barriers continue to undermine efforts to secure justice.

According to him, the increasing number of reported cases of sexual and gender-based violence should not be interpreted as evidence of rising crime but rather as a sign that more survivors now trust the system enough to come forward.

"For decades, these crimes remained hidden behind walls of fear, shame and hopelessness. Today, more survivors are speaking out because they believe the government will listen and act," he said.

The Attorney General, however, noted that many communities still operate within deeply entrenched patriarchal systems that view women and girls as inferior, creating conditions that encourage abuse and discourage victims from seeking help.

He described such attitudes as one of the greatest challenges confronting the implementation of the VAPP Law.

"We cannot celebrate implementation without confronting the cultural biases that continue to sabotage our efforts. Violence thrives where women and girls are treated as possessions rather than human beings with rights and dignity," he stated.

Udom also condemned the widespread culture of forcing survivors and their families to accept informal settlements instead of pursuing justice through the courts.

He said many cases involving domestic violence, rape, child abuse and other serious offences are often resolved through financial compensation or family negotiations, leaving offenders unpunished and survivors without justice.

According to him, the common phrase, "the matter has been settled," often represents a dangerous compromise that sacrifices justice in favour of convenience and social acceptance.

"When a child is defiled, when a woman is brutally assaulted or when a spouse is battered unconscious, there is no settlement that can restore the dignity that has been taken away. What often happens is that money changes hands and justice is buried," he said.

The Attorney General further expressed concern over the challenges survivors face within the criminal justice system, particularly situations where accused persons are granted bail and return to the same communities where victims and witnesses reside.

He noted that such circumstances frequently expose survivors to intimidation, threats and renewed trauma, making it difficult for them to cooperate with investigators and prosecutors.

Udom therefore appealed to judges and magistrates to carefully consider the safety of survivors when handling bail applications in serious gender-based violence cases.

According to him, while the rights of accused persons must be protected, equal consideration should be given to the rights, safety and psychological well-being of victims.

He cited recent high-profile cases that generated public outrage, including incidents involving severe domestic violence, where survivors eventually withdrew from prosecution after facing pressure, fear of stigma and concerns about their future.

He described such developments as evidence that society still has a long way to go in creating an environment where survivors can pursue justice without fear.

"I understand why survivors are afraid. The fear of social stigma, isolation and future attacks is real. But as a government, we are determined to build a system that protects them and ensures they do not have to choose between their safety and their right to justice," he said.

Despite the challenges, the Attorney General highlighted several achievements recorded under the VAPP Law since its passage in June 2020.

He disclosed that the state established the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Department within the Ministry of Justice to coordinate prosecutions, policy implementation and survivor support services.

He also revealed that shelters and skill acquisition centres have been created to provide accommodation, counselling and economic empowerment opportunities for survivors seeking to rebuild their lives after abuse.

According to him, the government has equally established Sexual Assault Referral Centres across strategic locations in the state to provide free medical care, forensic services and psychosocial support for victims.

Other interventions include the creation of GBV units in all local government areas, training of healthcare workers, social welfare officers and security personnel as paralegals, as well as capacity-building programmes for traditional rulers to improve community response to gender-based violence.

Udom disclosed that more than 2,000 gender-based violence cases have been reported in Akwa Ibom State since the enactment of the VAPP Law, with over 100 convictions secured during the period.

He said each report represents a survivor who chose courage over silence, while every conviction demonstrates the state's determination to end impunity.

Also speaking, the Director of the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Department and Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State GBV Management Committee, Barrister Emem Ette, said every gender-based violence case is unique and should be addressed according to its peculiar circumstances.

She noted that the committee encourages communities to develop response mechanisms that reflect their customs and traditions, provided such measures do not conflict with state and federal laws.

Barrister Ette explained that while punishment remains an important component of justice, rehabilitation and behavioural change should also be considered where appropriate.

She, however, advocated life imprisonment for rape offenders as a deterrent and expressed concern over the increasing number of rape cases involving children.

According to her, the committee remains committed to supporting community-based initiatives that align with cultural realities while promoting justice and protecting survivors.

As Akwa Ibom State begins its month-long awareness campaign, stakeholders were urged to challenge harmful cultural norms, support survivors, strengthen reporting mechanisms and ensure that justice remains accessible to all victims of gender-based violence.