By Austin Angwe, Makurdi
The Benue State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to partner with organizations working to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV), with a focus on creating a safer society for vulnerable groups, especially Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW).
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Theresa Ikwue, stated this during a two-day Leadership and Advocacy Training for Adolescent Girls and Young Women, organized by Concerned Women International Development Initiative (CWIDI) in collaboration with the Gender Equality Fund and Y+ Global, held yesterday in Makurdi to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child.
Represented by the Director of Women Affairs, Mrs. Magdalene Andoor, the Commissioner lamented that gender inequality and violence continue to limit the potential of the girl child.
She emphasized the need for education and empowerment to help girls amplify their voices and participate actively in decision-making processes.
“Girls must be empowered through education to reach their full potential. Government must also ensure that gender considerations are integrated into every level of leadership and policy formulation,” she said.
Ikwue commended CWIDI and its partners for bringing together 31 young participants to strengthen their advocacy and leadership skills, expressing optimism that the training would equip them to become effective change agents advocating for improved HIV, TB, and malaria outcomes in their communities.
Also speaking, the Director of Public Health, Benue State Ministry of Health, represented by Mr. Kuraun Wende, reaffirmed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with youth and women’s groups in advancing public health goals.
He commended Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration for creating a conducive environment that has encouraged the return of donor agencies to the state. He urged AGYW groups to be proactive, united, and strategic in articulating their priorities for inclusion in health programs of government and partners.
On her part, Hon. Becky Orpin, Chairman House Standing Committee on Women Affairs, represented by Dr. Moses Tsevenda, revealed that the Committee has sponsored a bill before the State Assembly to make it mandatory for all tertiary institutions in Benue to reserve special admission slots for girls in professional courses such as medicine, pharmacy, law, engineering, and mathematics.
“This will help bridge gender gaps and correct long-standing discrimination against the girl child in professional education,” she stated.
Orpin also disclosed ongoing legislative efforts to collaborate with the Ministry of Health to make antenatal carefree across the state.
Agabaidu Queen of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) encouraged young people living with HIV to embrace their status, adhere to treatment, and maintain healthy lifestyles to achieve viral suppression and improved well-being.
In his presentation on “Understanding Rights and Legal Protections under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP)”, Barr. Justin Gbagir urged women to speak out against violence, noting that offenses such as rape and spousal battery attract serious penalties under the law.
Another facilitator, Miss Solumtochukwu Ozobulu, in her session titled “Influencing Health Outcomes through Advocacy”, called on participants to embrace teamwork and consistency in pushing for positive social change.
Becky Gbihi, CWIDI’s Senior Programme Officer, in a remark said the objective of the training was to enhance the advocacy capacity and leadership skills of AGYW in all their diversity to enable them advocate effectively for gender-transformative approaches to HIV, TB, and malaria programs that will improve health outcomes across the three diseases.
Participants described the training as timely, impactful, and empowering, commending CWIDI and its partners for building the leadership potential of young women in Benue State.