The United Nations, UN, says there is an increase in violence against women and the girl-child in Cross River State, South-South Nigeria.
The UN-European Union Team Leader, Dr. Joy Ada-Onyezoh, at the Spotlight Initiatives one-day workshop organised in Calabar, identified Calabar South, Calabar Municipality and Obanliku Local Government Areas as some of the areas with high reported cases of violence against women.
She said Spotlight Initiative established by the UN with the support of the European Union will work with the civil society representatives and local ambassadors and the media to join the movement and take action to end violence against women and girls, insisting that violence against women is violence against the entire society.
The Permanent Secretary, Cross River State Ministry of Women Affairs, James Odok, and gender activist, Comfort Ikpeme, who confirmed the increase, said cultural believe is a major challenge in the state.
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Violence against women, the girl-child and harmful practices, according to the statistics, are commonly found in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Ebonyi States, but Cross River Government said that efforts have been put in place to reduce the practices in the area.
