The Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Centre (HRCRC) in Ebonyi has recorded 200 cases from January 2025 to date, according to its Director, Mr. George Etamesor.
Etamesor revealed in an interview in Abakaliki that out of these cases, 118 involved Gender-Based Violence (GBV), including domestic violence, inheritance disputes, child abuse, and intimate partner violence.
Other cases handled by the centre included 58 related to peacebuilding, 16 concerning access to justice, and eight involving access to mental wellness. Some cases are still ongoing, while others have been resolved through mediation and various interventions.
Regarding access to justice, the centre, in collaboration with relevant organizations, facilitated the release of inmates from the state’s correctional facility. These inmates were charged with minor offenses such as theft and vandalism.
“The process went beyond just securing their release; it involved counselling and rehabilitation to support their reintegration into society,” Etamesor explained.
The centre has also trained 90 officers on defensive procedures and established a safeguarding system aimed at protecting school children and teachers from abuse. These officers, who are teachers, have been deployed across schools in the three senatorial zones of the state.
Additionally, 60 individuals from three local government areas were selected and trained on early warning and response systems to help prevent potential conflicts proactively.
Etamesor emphasized that peacebuilding and conflict resolution remain key focus areas for the centre’s mediation efforts.