By Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Sensitization workshop on the need for the vulnerable particularly commercial sex workers to protect themselves against sexual and gender based violence,SGBV conducted by a non governmental organisation, NGO Concerned Women International Development Initiative, (CWIDI) has ended in Makurdi the Benue State capital.
Speaking during the exercise, representative of the organization Becky Gbihi said investigation conducted has revealed that most female commercial sex workers go through series of torture and harassment in the hands of their clients and persons with negative perception against them.
Gbihi stated that the two- day event tag; Enhancing Protection from Gender Based Violence for Vulnerable Population particularly sex workers in Benue State is to create awareness to enable them know their rights to be able to seek redress in cases of violation.
She said one of the major objectives of the training is to improve their knowledge on the existing legal provisions for their protection against gender based violence inherent among female sex workers and urged them to always define their boundaries to enable them know the extent to go with their clients to avoid cases of being abuse.
Gbihi equally added that the essence of the workshop is to educate them on the provisions of the constitution regarding SGBVs and as commercial sex workers.
In his presentation on the topic Understanding Gender, Women’s Rights and Gender Based Violence Overview of VAAP Act and guidelines for Responding to cases of Gender Based Violence Reporting Pathways, former chairman, Nigeria Bar Association,NBA Benue State chapter, Justin Gbagir, cautioned the sex workers to be wary of sexual enslavement which he noted has become the order of the day.
He attributed, high level of poverty, traditional and religious beliefs, substance abuse, and lack of sensitization to the rise in cases of SGBVs in the State, noting that consequences of the act includes suicide, sexually transmitted diseases, abortion among others and warned sex workers to be careful in dealing with their clients.
