Edo Women Affairs Commissioner Moves to Deepen Media Partnership for Grassroots Sensitization

By Rosemary Okoduwa

The Edo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, has called for stronger collaboration between the Ministry and the media to tackle harmful cultural practices, combat gender-based violence, and deepen grassroots awareness of government policies and social protection programmes.

Abdallah made the call while receiving a delegation from Super 88.1 FM, Benin City, led by the station’s Head of Programmes, Joyce Chuks, during a courtesy visit to the Ministry. She expressed the Ministry’s readiness to partner with the station to promote family welfare and amplify interventions aimed at protecting women, children, and other vulnerable groups.

The Commissioner emphasised the need for public enlightenment programmes to engage men as active partners in responsible parenting, family welfare, and child protection, noting that women often bear significant responsibilities in managing household affairs. She stressed that effective social advocacy must involve all members of society to achieve lasting results.

She also underscored the importance of taking public awareness campaigns beyond formal settings to reach residents in their everyday environments. Drawing from her interactions with commuters in buses and taxis, Abdallah observed that citizens are increasingly interested in government activities and social issues and deserve opportunities to have their concerns heard and addressed.

On the protection of women and girls, the Commissioner identified Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as a persistent concern, particularly in parts of northern Edo State, where deeply rooted cultural beliefs continue to pose challenges to eradication efforts. She called for sustained community engagement, advocacy, and effective enforcement of existing laws to eliminate harmful practices and safeguard the rights of women and girls.

Abdallah further commended the media for its role in bridging information gaps, educating citizens on relevant laws, and promoting awareness of maternal and child health, gender-based violence, and other social concerns. She expressed optimism that the proposed partnership with Super 88.1 FM would strengthen communication between the Ministry and grassroots communities while improving public access to information about government interventions and available support services.

Earlier, Chuks described Super 88.1 FM as a family-oriented broadcaster committed to promoting the welfare of women, children, and other vulnerable members of society. She highlighted the station’s flagship programmes, Mother and Child and Today’s Woman, explaining that they address maternal and child health, gender-based violence, women’s rights, child sexual abuse, and inheritance laws.

Chuks also commended the Ministry’s interventions in women’s empowerment and social protection, citing digital business training, mini-trade fairs, and grant support provided to more than 170 women between October and August. She expressed the station’s willingness to serve as a media partner by publicising the Ministry’s programmes, providing expert perspectives, and sustaining public education on issues affecting women, children, and families.

The proposed partnership is expected to expand the reach of the Ministry’s advocacy campaigns, strengthen information sharing, and encourage greater community participation in promoting family welfare and social protection. It also offers an opportunity to mobilise public support for efforts to end harmful practices, protect vulnerable groups, and advance the rights and well-being of women and children across Edo State.