The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Plateau State Chapter, has called on government at all levels to prioritize free medical services for gender-based violence (GBV) survivors, stressing that vulnerable victims across communities are struggling without access to the healthcare they urgently need.
The chairperson of NAWOJ, Plateau State Chapter, Grace Akwe Gotip, made the appeal on Wednesday in Jos when she led members of the association and partner organisations to register two GBV survivors at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital for routine medical check-ups.
The visit formed part of activities marking the 2025 global 16 Days of Activism themed “End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls.”
Gotip disclosed that the first survivor, Chidinma Augustine, is a victim of sexual molestation and is already five months pregnant from the alleged abuse.
She said the alleged perpetrator, a lawyer, had refused to take responsibility, leaving Chidinma to face the consequences alone.
“She is the only survivor out of 9 children in her family, and her situation is particularly dire. We kindly request that your facility provide her with immediate medical attention and antenatal care, as well as counselling to overcome the trauma and stress she has endured,” Gotip appealed.
She added that the second survivor, Justina, suffered a brutal assault from her boyfriend, resulting in damage to her eye.
“We kindly request that your facility provide Justina with routine eye check-ups and care, including treatment and management of any eye-related complications,” she said, noting that NAWOJ had been providing emotional support and advocacy to her.
Gotip assured that NAWOJ on the Plateau would continue to give voice to the voiceless and pursue justice for survivors to break the cycle of gender-based violence across the state.
Speaking on the significance of the year’s theme, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Council, Comrade Ayuku Pwaspo, said the digital environment has become increasingly unsafe.
“We all know what is happening in the digital space globally — not just to women and children, but also to men. Our digital space is now saturated with misinformation, fake news, and hate speech,” she stated.
She urged women experiencing any form of abuse to seek help. “Any woman out there who is being violated, intimidated, or victimized — this is the time to speak out. Speak out, even if your voice is shaking. There will always be someone close enough to hear you.”
Also speaking, Dr. Saidu Barnabas, Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of the Plateau Specialist Hospital, promised that the facility would give the two survivors the best possible care.
He assured that Chidinma and Justina would receive comprehensive support throughout their stay in the hospital.
The event featured goodwill messages from the National Human Rights Commission, Plateau Peace Building Agency, National Council for Women Society of Nigeria, Back to the Base Initiative, YIAHVA, among others.
