A safety audit conducted by UNICEF in Benue State’s Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps revealed incidents of sexual violence against children, including harassment and abuse.
The findings prompted UNICEF, in collaboration with local partners, to intervene with materials focused on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS).
The organization urges the state government and stakeholders to intensify efforts in addressing SGBV issues in the camps. UNICEF emphasizes its commitment to protecting children and women, highlighting community engagement as a key strategy for sustainable prevention.
JASPI Health and Gender Development Initiative, in collaboration with UNICEF, conducted training and sensitization on GBV, SGBV, MHPSS, and parenting in the affected camps.
“From August till now, we engaged with the local partner, JASPI to have this intervention and one of the key achievements of the programme is the communities owning the process. Now, we have the presence of BERWASA, Doctors Without Border Medicines and Frontieres, (MSF), and the community being in the front and I think this will bring a lasting solution,” Atuchukwu said.
