The ministry in the past as part of activities to fight cases of Gender Based Violence, GBV, has interfaced with owners of orphanage homes educating them on how to handle such cases
By Austin Angwe, Makurdi
Benue State Government has pledged to sustain collaboration with Concerned Women International Development Initiative, CWIDI, other NGOs both local and international, civil society organizations as well as other partners on the fight against gender-based violence, GBV, in order to strengthen protection of the vulnerable population.
Commissioner for Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Ann Itodo made the commitment during a one-day dialogue with community leaders on the theme: Strengthening Protection from Gender-Based Violence, GBV for the vulnerable population including FWS members, organized by the Concerned Women International Development Initiative, CWIDI, in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
Itodo, represented by Acting Director Women in the Ministry, Mrs Magdalene Andor recalled that in commemorating this years International Women’s Day, the ministry and its staff moved round streets of Makurdi metropolis and major markets to sensitize the people on the need to stop GBV, adding that it was in line with this years topic; Accelerating Action to end all forms of GBV.
She said the ministry in the past as part of activities to fight cases of Gender Based Violence, GBV, has interfaced with owners of orphanage homes educating them on how to handle such cases, synergize with civil society organisations, visited IDPs camp to carry out awareness on how to handle and improve GBV cases as well as carry out sensitization through radio programmes, personal interaction with groups to create more awareness.
The Commissioner further disclosed that in the past the ministry has collaborated and is currently working with stakeholders such as civil society organisations, NGOs both Local and International, Faith Based Organizations with the aim to synergize, educate through advocacy to ensure equity in all aspects of women lives using awareness campaigns in communities on the need to maintain peace to ensure security of the lives especially of the vulnerable women.
Itodo commended the Concerned Women International Development Initiative, CWIDI, for what she described as a great job in the state, acknowledging that organising a programme that involves traditional rulers who are not just the custodians of culture but also give direction to their subjects and their wives, was a right step in the right direction, expressing optimism that with involvement of the royal father’s, success for the fight against Gender Based Violence in the state is achieved by 80 percent.
She charged the royal fathers to step down the massage to their subjects as well as encouraged their spouses to assist their husbands to implement the project at the grass root, expressing belief that with the manner stakeholders were selected, they would do the needful by creating awareness on the dangers of GBV and the need to fight the menace to a standstill.
The Commissioner maintained that as a government, the doors of the ministry will always remain open for organisations willing to work with the ministry, lauding efforts of CWIDI in championing the fight against Gender Based Violence in the state and described CWIDI as well organized, with their programme interactive, knowledge enriching and commended the group for doing a good job.
She recommended that the programme should enjoy wide coverage for more people especially ruler dwellers to know what GBV is all about as well as the consequences awaiting violators of the law for women to enjoy peace and hamonious cordial relationship with their male counterparts.
Also speaking, Benue State Commandant, NSCDC, CC Bitrus Larai represented by DSC Benedict Sunday, assured that in addition to stepping up synergy with other security agencies and organisations, the command will intensify sensitization for people to know the dangers associated with GBV cases.
On her part, Chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Blessing Ityohuun and Assistant Director from the Ministry of Justice, Sunday Sabe, all emphasized the need for synergy among organisations, describing the dialogue as apt.
FIDA particularly identified finance and funding as a major challenge in the fight against GBV and other cases, appealing to international partners to support CWIDI with funds to help local organisations carry out awareness round nooks and crannies to spread the fight, assuring that FIDA’s doors would always remain open to listen to complaints of victims who suffer Gender-Based Violence and other related issues.
Also speaking on behalf of about 10 traditional rulers who attended the dialogue, HRH James Aba promised to step up awareness in their various places as they go back for their subjects to know the dangers associated with GBV for them to avoid penalties from law enforcement agencies.
He described the dialogue as an eye opener and commended the Concerned Women International Development Initiative, CWIDI, for putting together the one Day event, calling both Government and the international partners to support the organization with enough funds for them to expand the scope of their project.
In a presentation, Barr Justin Gbagir stated that it was essential for all category of people irrespective of colour, religion, sex, gender or tribe to enjoy equal right, emphasizing the need for synergy among stakeholders in the fight against Gender Based Violence, GBV and urged participants at the one day occasion to take resolutions seriously.
Mrs Becky Gbihi, Senior Programme Officer, Concerned Women International Development Initiative, CWIDI in an opening remark said the dialogue was put together to amplify the organizations responsibility which is to ensure that no woman suffer injustice in the hands of their male counterparts, stressing that the aim of the dialogue was to proffer solutions to cases of Gender Based Violence, GBV prevalent in the society.