EDSG Intensifies Fight Against GBV, Holds 17th Quarterly Management Committee Meeting

By Rosemary Okoduwa

The Edo State Government has renewed its commitment to intensifying the fight against gender-based violence (GBV), as the State Gender-Based Violence Management Committee (GBV MC) held its 17th Quarterly Meeting in Benin City, with stakeholders pledging stronger and more coordinated action to prevent violence and improve support for survivors.

The meeting, held at the New Festival Hall, Government House, brought together government officials, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, development partners and other stakeholders to review progress, identify gaps and strengthen the State’s prevention, response and survivor support mechanisms.

Addressing participants, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady and Chairperson of the GBV MC, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, commended stakeholders for their sustained collaboration, stressing that ending GBV requires consistent action across government, communities, schools, traditional institutions, civil society and development partners. She reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to protecting women, girls, children and other vulnerable persons, highlighting initiatives such as the establishment of GBV School Clubs across schools to educate students on their rights, healthy relationships, violence prevention, reporting channels and available support services.

Anani also described the two-day assessment visit by the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs as an opportunity to showcase Edo’s progress while identifying areas requiring stronger prevention, protection and response. She urged the GBV MC to further strengthen referral systems, survivor services, data collection, prevention programmes, community engagement and accountability.

In her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, disclosed that Edo received the Award of Excellence as the Best Performing State in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Protection at the 26th National Council on Women Affairs, Child Advancement and Social Development in Taraba State. She described the award as a collective achievement of stakeholders and reaffirmed the Committee’s mandate to create safer homes, schools and communities for women, girls, children and other vulnerable persons.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomole, called for prompt, compassionate and confidential care for GBV survivors, including timely medical attention, psychosocial support, proper documentation and referral for justice. He disclosed that the Ministry was strengthening the health sector response through staff training, improved referral and documentation systems, and expansion of sexual assault referral centres, while emphasising the importance of reliable data.

Represented by the Director of Information, Mrs. Maureen Nwine, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, said the Ministry was supporting public sensitisation, including the production and airing of GBV jingles on Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) television and radio.

From a youth perspective, UNICEF Young Influencer and student, Miss Isabelle Anani, drew attention to cyberstalking and cyberbullying as underreported forms of GBV affecting girls and young women. Citing a 2017 UNICEF Nigeria report, she called for confidential reporting channels and safe spaces in schools and institutions where victims can access trusted support and appropriate referrals.

The meeting featured stakeholder presentations and reports, with participants reviewing progress and discussing measures to strengthen prevention, survivor support, referrals, data systems, community engagement and accountability. Stakeholders concluded with a renewed commitment to intensify the fight against GBV and build an Edo State where every woman, girl, child and vulnerable person can live with dignity, safety and freedom from violence.