A Peer Review Community Sexual & Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Data Integrity Pledge Commitment (a.k.a. The Rockview Accord) was signed by stakeholders in Abuja on the 11th of February 2025. It was convened by Hadis Foundation in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and International Institute for Democracy & Electoral Assistance (IDEA). The Preamble of the Pledge was:
'We, the undersigned members of the High Level Multi-Agency Team (HI-MAT) and the Service Provider Accountability Resource Committee (SPARC), across states hereby pledge our unwavering commitment to the establishment and implementation of a robust Peer-Review Community of Practice (PRCP). This pledge is rooted in our shared vision to enhance data accountability, improve the prevention of SGBV and ensure justice for survivors and families affected by SGBV across Nigeria...'
The collectice Vision, exact meaning of a PRCP, raison d'etre for a PRCP, rules guiding the PRCP, reward for commitment and what members were committing to were clearly spelt out. Some of the state HI-MAT and SPARC present were: Adamawa, Edo, Ekiti and Kwara
L-R: Barr. Shirley Atame (she emerged Chairperson, of the Peer-Review Community of Practice for SGBV Data Integrity. Shirley is the representative of Ekiti state govt) & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa
The Leadership of the Community of Practice is as follows:
*Chairperson: Ekiti state - Barr. Shirley Atame
*Secretary: FCT - Sunday Agbabiaka
*Member: Adamawa state - Amos Yusuf Sunday
*Member: Anambra state - Yohana Rachael
*Member: Edo state - Esohe Uwuigbe
*Member: Kano state - Barr. Fatima Ahmad
*Member: Kwara state - Funke Banjo
In her opening remarks, Founder Hadis Foundation, Dr. Amina Salihu aptly described herself as an 'Activator Feminist' who is a catalyst for noble causes like the SGBV Community of Practice. At the panel discussion, various states highlighted their challenges with more advanced states in the SGBV Data Integrity journey sharing their experiences as to how they navigated difficult terrains. There were issues about Situation Rooms, Relationship between HI-MAT and SPARC, the fact that donors do not support the release of data generated through funding by them, irregularity of meetings between HI-MAT and SPARC in states, etc.
What then was the adopted action plan?
* Participating states should form a WhatsApp or Telegram group
* A reward sysytem for best-performing states should be instituted
* There should be sanctions for non-performing states
* There should be quarterly meetings between HI-MAT and SPARC in states. At the national level, there should be yearly convening.
* Awareness should be created about the need for inter-agency collaboration on data
* Google forms should be made available to fill in in-coming reports
The idea of the PRCP is indeed commendable. The current high tempo should be maintained in order to ensure the integrity of data in the SGBV millieu. I congratulate all the elected officers and wish them a successful tenure in the service of the nation...
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