ECOWAS Tasks Member States To Prevent Violence Against Women, Children

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Regional Child Protection Working Group (RCPWG) has lamented the menace of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as well as Violence Against Children (VAC) in all Member States.

The commission disclosed this in a communique on Tuesday after a virtual meeting of its Working Group’s drawn from various ranks of United Nations (UN) Agencies and other partners on October 12, 2020.

The development partners involved include International Non-Government Organisations (INGOs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Private Sector and the Media with the participation of relevant ECOWAS Directorates and Institutions.

The meeting was aimed at galvanizing action across the ECOWAS Region towards curbing the menace of GBV with a special focus on Child Sexual Abuse and VAC.

In her opening speech, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Social Affairs and Gender, Dr Siga Fatima, acknowledged the prevalence of GBV/VAC despite many legal and policy frameworks at all levels to advance its reportage and documentation.

The commission On 20th April 2020, issued a joint Advisory to ALL ECOWAS member states as a call for action and guidance to mainstream Child Protection in Government responses to COVID-19 Pandemic and Recovery Plans.

Jagne, however, reiterated that the vulnerabilities of women and girls have increased in emergency situations, especially with the outbreak and management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“…from inability to access services due to movement and access restrictions and diversion of resources to COVID-19 interventions,” she said.

ECOWAS, thereafter recommended that the member states “take immediate action to ensure the continued functioning of child-friendly reporting mechanisms such as Child Helpline and Hotlines to enable child-friendly reporting, counselling, and response”.