The growing concern over mental health challenges and gender-based violence has renewed calls for stronger government action, improved access to mental health services and better protection for survivors of abuse.
At a conference in Abuja, organized by Echoes Africa Initiative in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, stakeholders emphasized the need to break the silence surrounding psychological trauma, tackle stigmatization and ensure that victims have access to timely medical, psychological and social support.
The conference drew the attention of stakeholders to the often-overlooked psychological trauma resulting from gender-based violence and the urgent need for a coordinated response.
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Beyond awareness campaigns, participants used the occasion to call on governments at all levels to strengthen the implementation of existing laws and policies addressing gender-based violence and mental health.
With the theme, “Invisible Wounds: Understanding Mental Health, Trauma, Gender-Based Violence and Their Impact on Society,” the actions are becoming louder, with stakeholders saying the true measure of progress will not be the number of awareness campaigns organized, but the number of people helped, find protection and begin to heal.
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(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
