Pen Girls Initiative Takes GBV Awareness Campaign to Eket Market, Urges Victims to Speak Out

Priscilla Christopher-Akpanettot 

As part of activities marking the close of the 2026 Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Awareness Campaign, The Pen Girls Initiative on Thursday, June 25, 2026, took its advocacy to Urua Nka Market in Eket Local Government Area, where traders were sensitised on the provisions of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law and the need to break the culture of silence surrounding abuse.

The advocacy campaign focused on educating market women, traders and residents on what constitutes Gender-Based Violence; the legal consequences of committing such offences and the available channels through which victims can seek justice. Members of the Initiative also cited recent cases in which perpetrators of GBV had been successfully prosecuted, stressing that the law is being actively enforced and that offenders are increasingly being held accountable.

Speaking during the sensitisation, Leader of The Pen Girls Initiative, Comrade Priscilla Christopher-Akpanettot enlightened participants on harmful widowhood practices, abandonment of spouses and dependants, as well as emotional and verbal abuse. She urged victims and witnesses to reject the culture of silence by reporting cases of abuse, noting that speaking up is essential to ensuring justice for victims and bringing perpetrators to book.

Other members of the advocacy team also took turns educating the traders on various forms of Gender-Based Violence. Comrade Mary Ekere spoke on rape, indecent exposure and offensive conduct, while explaining the legal remedies available to survivors. Comrade Ekemini Akpan  addressed issues relating to forceful ejection from home, forced financial dependence and stalking; emphasizing that such acts are criminal offences under the VAPP Law.
Comrade Imaobong Akwaowo cautioned members of the public to tread carefully in their interactions with others, reminding them that ignorance of the law is never a defence against criminal liability.

The team further highlighted the dangers of silence, warning that refusing to report cases of abuse allows perpetrators to continue harming others and undermines efforts to create a safer society. They therefore called on members of the public to become active partners in the fight against Gender-Based Violence by reporting incidents promptly and supporting survivors in their pursuit of justice.

The traders, who gave the advocacy team rapt attention throughout the exercise, expressed appreciation for the enlightenment campaign and actively sought clarification on issues affecting them. As part of the visit, the leader of the market women was presented with a copy of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law to serve as a reference for continuous awareness within the market community.

Victims of Gender-Based Violence were advised to report cases to the nearest Police Station, Room 8 of the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, the Agape Centre Sexual Assault Referral Centre at Immanuel Hospital, Eket, the Restoration Centre Sexual Assault Referral Centre at General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene, the Heartland Alliance Sexual Assault Referral Centre located at 26 Abel Damina Drive, Osongama Estate, Uyo, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Path Initiative at Plot 22, Unit F, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, as well as the GBV Response Units in all the Local Government Councils across the state.

Members of the public can also report cases or seek assistance through the dedicated GBV response lines: 09169009111, 09126101022 and 08023384818.