CWIDI, Benue Women Affairs Ministry Call for Stronger Stakeholder Collaboration to End SGBV

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

Concerned Women International Development Initiative (CWIDI), in partnership with the Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, has called on stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in order to effectively address and end Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the state.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Theresa Ikwue, made the call during a one-day multi-stakeholder forum on GBV Response and Coordination held in Makurdi, the state capital. She noted that the intervention has become necessary as many incidents of SGBV remain unreported.
The workshop, themed “Strengthening Multi-Stakeholders Coordination for Effective GBV Prevention and Response for Female Sex Workers (FSWs) and Other Marginalized Women and Girls,” was organized by CWIDI in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare under the FEF OSC Programme.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Martha Edoh, the Commissioner emphasized that addressing the growing trend of SGBV in Benue State should not be left to the government alone. She stressed that traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organizations, law enforcement agencies, and opinion leaders must join forces with the government to tackle the menace.
She further expressed concern over the persistent cases of sexual and domestic violence in the state, heightened vulnerability in humanitarian and informal settings, and the rising incidence of early child marriage, all of which continue to negatively impact families and communities. According to her, a collective effort is required to curb the situation.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of CWIDI, Mrs. Bridget Okeke, called for enhanced coordination among stakeholders to effectively combat SGBV in villages and communities across the state.
Represented by the Programme Officer, Becky Gbihi, the Executive Director highlighted the critical role of collaboration among relevant stakeholders in reducing SGBV cases. She underscored the importance of working closely with appropriate agencies and constituted authorities to ensure justice for victims and serve as a deterrent to perpetrators.
Some stakeholders at the forum, including the Police Command Gender Desk Officer, DSP Helen Jane, and the Head of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), Dr. Linda Dirisu, outlined challenges encountered in the course of seeking justice for survivors.
Dr. Dirisu, in particular, appealed to traditional and religious leaders to support efforts aimed at securing justice and relief for survivors, noting that such support would help prevent future occurrences of SGBV.