U.S. Consulate, Others Train 100 Police, Civil Defence Officers On Gender-Based Violence

The U.S. Consulate says it has partnered with other organisations to train 100 police and civil defence officers on countering Gender-Based Violence(GBV) in Nigeria.

The consulate said in a statement that the three-day capacity building programme was organised in partnership with the U.S.-based International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF).

According to the consulate, the training covered the following topics : ways of overcoming complexities of GBV, trauma-informed first response, and investigative strategies to improve law enforcement response to GBV.

The U.S. Consul General, Claire Pierangelo, said the U.S. government was committed to supporting initiatives that would continue to break the cycle of sexual and gender-based violence.

She said that a more open, inclusive and democratic society that respected the diversity and rights of women was critical to preventing and responding to GBV.

“We count on you all as you lead the improvement in the management of gender-based cases at your stations.

“GBV has life-threatening consequences for women and girls and will have a profound impact on their opportunities and life trajectory.

“No woman or girl child should live in fear of violence. Every girl should grow up knowing she is safe and free to follow her dreams and live her best life,” Pierangelo said.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the law enforcement training is part of a variety of programmes organised by the U.S. Consulate to promote zero-tolerance against GBV. (NAN)