COVID-19: GRIP donates facemasks to Ekiti State Police Command

In continuation of it’s response to Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria, the Gender Relevance Initiative Promotion, a leading NGO in Nigeria promoting gender justice donated facemasks with the support of Society for Women and Aids in Africa, Nigeria (SWAAN) to the Ekiti State Police Command today 8/5/2020.

The donation was in recognition of the critical role of the Police as Frontline Responders in the protection of life and properties during this Covid-19 pandemic, as well the leading enforcer of government’s directive aim at halting the spread of Covid-19 in Nigeria.

Making the donation to CP Amba Asuquo in his office, the ED GRIP Rita Ilevbare Esq., appreciated the Ekiti State Police Command for the Swift response to SGBV cases which incidentally has been on the increase since the Covid-19 pandemic Lockdown. Ilevbare said GRIP recognised the huge sacrifice of the Police in placing their health on the line for the safety of others in this critical period and as such, the Police deserves all the encouragement and support, especially the provision of PPE to enable the Police deliver on its mandate.

Since GRIP closed its physical office on 20/3/2020, in furtherance of the effort to contain the spread of Covid-19 in Ekiti State, it has responded to 59 SGBV cases across four states; Ekiti, Oyo, Lagos and Edo. Furthermore, GRIP in Ekiti State has distributed food items with the support of the Wife of the Governor Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi and other partners to 257 survivors (women) of GBV and their households in order to cushion the effect of Covid-19 on them.

These palliatives has greatly reduced the vulnerability to domestic violence of some of the beneficiaries, who otherwise would have been exposed to various forms of GBV due to lack of food occasioned by the Covid-19 Lockdown.

Receiving the facemasks on behalf of the Command, CP Asuquo commended GRIP for the kind gesture, noting that the facemasks will go a long way in assisting the Command to deliver on it’s mandate. CP Asuquo reiterated the Command’s readiness to continue to protect all citizens in this Lockdown and beyond irrespective of gender and other affiliations.

GRIP is very appreciative of it’s supporters and partners without which all it’s various activities wouldn’t have been possible. Specifically, GRIP acknowledged the conducive environment through legal and policy frameworks in Ekiti State, championed by the unrelenting Gender Advocate Erelu Bisi Fayemi. This has greatly assisted in the Prevention and Response to SGBV in Ekiti State.

The GENDER RELEVANCE INITIATIVE PROMOTION (GRIP) is a Non-Governmental, Non Political and Not-For-Profit Organisation based in Ekiti State, Nigeria. GRIP works for the interest of women, youths and children. GRIP uses the law including international law as a tool for ensuring accountable governance, addressing poverty and empowering communities especially on women, youths and children’s rights and welfare.