Abuja: The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has called for stronger measures against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), warning that people living with HIV face heightened risks of abuse and require integrated support services. The organisation also noted that persons living with tuberculosis are vulnerable to violence and need comprehensive support mechanisms to address their health, protection, and psychosocial needs nationwide.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Olayemi Olupitan, Project Director of the Global Fund Grant Cycle 7 Nigeria at IHVN, made the call during an interview on the sidelines of a workshop. Olupitan stressed that stakeholders must move beyond focusing solely on HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria interventions to address gender-related vulnerabilities that continue to affect patients receiving treatment and care across healthcare facilities nationwide.
Olupitan highlighted evidence from Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) clinics, which showed that many people receiving HIV and tuberculosis treatment are also exposed to various forms of gender-based violence. This necessitates targeted interventions and support. ‘It is critical not only to look at malaria, TB, and HIV, but it is also important to look at the area of gender-based violence,’ she stated.
Survivors identified through routine screening are provided with tailored interventions based on the nature of violence experienced, ensuring access to medical care, psychosocial support, and protection services. Survivors of sexual violence are screened for sexually transmitted infections and treated accordingly, while individuals with physical injuries receive appropriate medical attention and follow-up support where necessary.
Patients experiencing emotional abuse are offered psychosocial support, and those requiring additional assistance are referred to relevant state agencies for specialised services and protection measures. ‘For the ones that, for one reason or the other, need more support, we link them up with agencies in the states because we are not able to do everything,’ Olupitan explained, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among healthcare providers, government institutions, and community-based support organisations nationwide.
The project director urged governments and stakeholders to intensify efforts against GBV, improve documentation of cases, and encourage more survivors to speak out and seek available support services. ‘It is high time we stopped paying lip service to GBV management. People are not speaking up. A lot of the survivors are still not speaking up,’ she said.
Olupitan also called for stronger legal frameworks to ensure perpetrators of gender-based violence are held accountable, stressing that impunity undermines efforts aimed at preventing abuse and protecting survivors. ‘They should strengthen the legal framework to ensure that perpetrators do not go free. It is not business as usual,’ she concluded.