The Cross River State government has revealed alarming statistics about gender-based violence in the region, recording approximately 800 cases between January and November this year with only five convictions secured.
Shocking Conviction Rate Amid Rising Cases
Commissioner for Women Affairs Edema Irom disclosed these troubling figures during a media briefing in Akamkpa, where the United Nations women launched the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The event included a question-and-answer session where Irom expressed deep concern about the justice system's failure to hold perpetrators accountable.
"Many perpetrators still walk free while survivors endure stigma, trauma and disrupted schooling," Irom stated. She highlighted the devastating impact on young victims, noting that many girls are unable to return to school after experiencing rape due to shame and inadequate institutional support.
Multiple Fronts in the Fight Against GBV
The commissioner revealed that over 100 GBV-related cases are currently before the courts, but progress remains frustratingly slow. She identified limited logistics and poor funding as major obstacles that weaken investigations and delay justice for victims.
Irom also brought attention to concerning practices in cocoa-producing communities and large plantations, where minors are exploited as cheap labor. She described this exploitation as "a form of gender-based violence that must be tackled" with urgency.
Motor parks have emerged as significant trafficking routes, with the commissioner warning that young girls are sometimes sexually abused for as little as N10,000. She called on National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) officials to report suspicious movements to the Gender Desk or police immediately.
Emerging Threat: Digital Violence
The commissioner raised fresh concerns about digital-related abuses, revealing that at least 15 incidents this year were linked to online luring and relationships. She warned that many young people in secondary schools and universities are falling into dangerous hands through online interactions.
"Digital violence, including sextortion, image-based abuse and threats, has become a major concern," Irom emphasized. She noted that the humiliation from such exposure can completely destroy victims' lives and called for stronger digital safety awareness among young people.
The situation in Cross River State highlights the urgent need for improved funding, better investigative resources, and stronger community awareness to combat the multifaceted nature of gender-based violence affecting vulnerable populations across the state.
