JDPI Constitutes 32 Community Watchers to Oversee Domestic Violence in Ekiti

Justice Development and Peace Initiative, JDPI, Catholic Diocese of Ekiti State have set up a transformational group and 32 Community watchers to oversee cases of domestic violence in Ekiti State.

This was stated during a “synergy building meeting with key stakeholders towards promotion of Human Rights and reduction of Gender Based Violence (GBV).”

JDPI Director, Rev. Fr Emmanuel Akingbade said two of the Community Watchers will serve as watchdogs for violence and other human rights violations in the 16 local governments areas of the state.

“We have transformational group and Community watchers(32), their role is to serve as watch dogs for violence and other human rights activities in the Community, 2 from each local government.” He said.

While exploring gaps and threats militating against achieving reduction in GBV and other human rights abuses, the Assistant Director of JDPI, Sr Agatha Ogbuagu noted that law enforcement agencies tends to take cases of GBV with a levity hand, with a recommendation of home settlement.

According to her, the law enforcement agencies look at GBV cases from the angle of family affairs, unknowing to them that the victims suffer in silence.

She highlighted factors responsible for culture of silence on Gender-based violence to include ignorance of law enforcement agencies, inferiority complex, fear of cultural and religious stigma, among others.