By Peter Onyekachukwu 
……Says Govt Cannot Do It Alone
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling Gender-Based Violence (GBV), but acknowledged that the government cannot effectively combat the scourge without the support of civil society and community-based organisations.
Speaking during a briefing at the Ministry’s conference room in Uyo to flag off activities for GBV Awareness Month, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mfon Edemekong, Esq., emphasized the emotional and psychological toll of GBV advocacy and the critical role of non-state actors in addressing the menace.
According to Mfon, “Let’s be honest: the harm has already been done. What we are doing now is managing the crisis and preventing further damage. And the truth is, government cannot do that alone.
She also said. “Our job is to provide direction, guidance, coordination, and support, but the real work is being done by you the foot soldiers.”
Edemekong, who once served as Chairperson of the GBV Response Team in the state, recalled her own mental health struggles while handling GBV cases. “There were days I almost resigned. If you’ve never been on the frontlines of this work, you’ll think it’s just about talking. It’s not. It takes your body, your spirit, your soul,” she stated.
In a moment of levity laced with seriousness, she narrated a personal experience involving a domestic abuse case where a man reported being physically abused by his much larger wife. “When I invited the woman, just one look at her told me this man was not lying. Cases like that show how complex and diverse GBV cases can be.”
The Permanent Secretary thanked various civil society organisations for their commitment and announced that the Ministry had outlined a month-long series of activities to drive awareness and action against GBV. She applauded recent outreach efforts held in churches, acknowledging the surprise and pride expressed by the Attorney General upon seeing the community-led engagement.
“When the Honourable Attorney General returned from the church programme, he told me, ‘I didn’t know people could just come out like that to help others.’ We’re genuinely proud of what you are doing,” she said.
She also hinted at a small token of appreciation from the Ministry, noting, “It’s not in the budget, but sometimes you just have to start small. What you do deserves far more than words or tokens, but this is a step in acknowledging your work.”
Edemekong underscored the Ministry’s dual role: protecting both public and governmental interests. “Sometimes government wants to act, and you must say no because it will harm the people. In such moments, we are reminded of Buhari’s words: ‘I am for nobody, I am for everybody.’ That’s what the Ministry of Justice stands for.”
She concluded by inviting leaders of 22 key advocacy and support organisations to a follow-up meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 2:00 PM in the Ministry of Justice Conference Room. The meeting will focus on harmonizing efforts and building stronger coordination across stakeholders.
Organisations expected at the meeting include Learning Disabilities Society of Nigeria, UK-Smile Foundation, Tender Minds Foundation International, Girls Power Initiative, and others at the forefront of human rights and community-based advocacy in the state.
As Akwa Ibom intensifies its GBV awareness campaign, the Ministry’s message is clear: real progress depends on partnerships between government, civil society, and the people.