The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Imo State Women Forum recently held its general meeting followed by a deeply engaging and thought-provoking lecture on the critical topic: “Prosecuting Conflict-Related Sexual Violence: Challenges and Opportunities.”
The guest lecturer, Mr. Chidi Anyaoha, Esq., a seasoned legal practitioner and Deputy Director in the Department of Public Prosecution at the Ministry of Justice, delivered an insightful presentation that illuminated the multifaceted nature of conflict-related sexual violence and the urgent need for a robust legal and social response.
Mr. Anyaoha emphasized that prosecuting sexual violence in conflict settings remains a complex and sensitive undertaking, burdened by systemic gaps, resource limitations, and cultural barriers. He identified several pressing challenges, including:
- Lack of Funding: Global funding cuts have significantly undermined the capacity of programs designed to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, forcing many critical services to scale back or shut down entirely.
- Limited Access to Justice: Survivors often encounter serious obstacles in their pursuit of justice, such as inadequate legal frameworks, lack of legal aid, social stigma, and insufficient institutional support.
- Stigmatization: Social and cultural stigmas surrounding survivors of sexual violence further silence victims and hinder effective reporting and prosecution.
- Inadequate Support Services: Survivors frequently lack access to essential services such as mental health care, psychosocial support, safe spaces, and survivor-sensitive legal aid.
However, the lecture also pointed to several opportunities to transform the landscape:
- Raising Awareness: There is a compelling need to increase public awareness and community-level dialogue about conflict-related sexual violence—from rural communities to local governments and at the state level.
- Survivor-Centered Approaches: Placing survivors at the heart of legal and policy responses ensures their needs and dignity remain paramount. This, Mr. Anyaoha noted, empowers victims to heal and find justice.
- Strengthening Legal Frameworks: He called for the reinforcement of humanitarian laws and prosecutorial frameworks to ensure that perpetrators of such heinous crimes are held accountable and justice is not denied.
- Fully Funded Support Services: Adequate and sustainable funding for holistic support systems is crucial to ensure that survivors can recover and reintegrate with dignity.
Citing examples such as the Boko Haram insurgency, Mr. Anyaoha drew attention to the harrowing realities of women and girls subjected to sexual violence in conflict zones, reinforcing the urgency of coordinated legal, social, and humanitarian responses.
“Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be survivor-centered. Where the law fails the most vulnerable, the dignity of society itself is at risk,” he stated.
“To combat conflict-related sexual violence, we must combine strong laws with compassionate systems that give survivors not just a voice—but a future,” he added.
The forum was well-attended and concluded successfully, providing both a reflective and empowering experience for all present. The meeting and the subsequent lecture were deeply enriching and impactful—to the glory of God.
Signed:
Mrs. C. A. Sunday-Iherue
For: Nigerian Bar Association, Imo State Women Forum
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