Edo Govt, BraveHeart Initiative Convene Stakeholders to Strengthen SGBV Prevention

By Rosemary Okoduwa

The Edo State Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, in partnership with the BraveHeart Initiative for Youth and Women and the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, convened stakeholders to strengthen the implementation of policies and laws aimed at preventing and addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) across the state.

The one-day consultation, held at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) in Benin City, brought together representatives of government ministries, security agencies, the health and justice sectors, civil society organisations and other institutions. Participants identified implementation gaps and developed strategies to improve survivor protection and access to justice.

Speaking at the event, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady and Chairperson of the Edo State Gender-Based Violence Management Committee, Mrs Edesili Okpebholo-Anani, called for stronger inter-agency collaboration, effective enforcement of existing laws and additional sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) to expand survivors’ access to essential services.

Mrs Okpebholo-Anani said tackling SGBV requires collective commitment to prevention, protection, justice and compassionate care. She highlighted plans to introduce gender-based violence clubs in schools to teach children about personal safety, boundaries and mutual respect. She also urged parents, traditional rulers and religious leaders to challenge harmful cultural practices and social norms that promote violence.

She noted that referral centres in Benin City and Uromi currently support survivors, with another planned for Edo North. She commended RoLAC for supporting the review of the Edo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, said the consultation was organised to assess interventions, identify gaps and develop recommendations for improving SGBV policies and legislation. She stressed the need for coordinated action among government institutions, law enforcement agencies, health professionals, justice-sector officials and community leaders, noting that policies must deliver protection and access to justice across the state’s 18 local government areas. Abdallah commended the BraveHeart Initiative and RoLAC for their partnership and sustained contributions to combating gender-based violence.

Representatives of the Commissioners for Justice and Health, Mrs Omage Dimowo and Dr Paul Eighemwenrio, respectively, emphasised effective law enforcement, prompt prosecution, adequate medical care, psychosocial support and confidential, survivor-centred services. They also highlighted prosecutorial guidelines for SGBV cases to promote professionalism, consistency and effective case handling. The Health Ministry representative called for adequate funding, continuous capacity building and stronger referral systems. Representing the Commissioner of Police, DCP Musa Bulus reaffirmed the Police Command’s commitment to working with relevant institutions to strengthen enforcement and accountability.

The Executive Director of the BraveHeart Initiative for Youth and Women, Chief Priscilla Usiobaifo, described the consultation as a technical strategy session to address challenges in implementing existing laws. She urged stakeholders to study the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law and submit actionable recommendations to improve its effectiveness.

In a goodwill message, the RoLAC State Coordinator, Uche Nwokedi, stressed the importance of sustained collaboration in strengthening Edo State’s response to SGBV.
The consultation also featured a presentation by Imonitie Omokhodion of RoLAC on the Edo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021, and its ongoing review. The presentation identified gaps in the legal framework and proposed improvements to prevention, survivor protection, institutional accountability and access to justice. The meeting ended with technical contributions on improving institutional coordination, addressing implementation challenges and strengthening survivor-centred prevention and response mechanisms across Edo State.