The Edo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to working with the federal government and international organizations to address gender-based violence (GBV), as represented by Barr. Umar-Musa Ikhilor, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
At the spectacular finale of the 2024 “16 Days of Activism” against GBV, which took place at the New Festival Hall, Government House, in Benin City, Barr. Ikhilor provided the assurance.
The SSG stated that the Edo State Government aims to work with both state and non-state actors, including traditional and religious organizations, to promote awareness in denouncing GBV and detrimental cultural practices in order to create a society free from GBV. He noted that in year 2023, 85,000 women and girls globally, lost their lives to GBV, with Africa leading the statistics.
Barr. Ikhilo highlighted the institutional frameworks, such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law and a shelter for sexually assaulted victims, which the State Government has put in place as commitments towards combating GBV in the State.
He said, “Change is a process and that is why we will continue to promote awareness until it gets to the grassroot and people are drawn into the awareness and begin to act appropriately”.
To eradicate GBV in the state, the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues’ acting Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Joy Ihensenkien, underlined the necessity of teamwork. She urged legislators to give priority to laws that protect the weak and punish offenders; community leaders to break down harmful customs and promote safe areas; and activists and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to raise the voices of the voiceless and continue advocacy work. Mrs. Ihensenkien came to the conclusion that eradicating GBV is a personal duty that calls for individual decisions, deeds, and words in order to preserve social dignity.
In a message of goodwill, Mr. Omokhodion Imonitien, the Edo State Coordinator of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC), stated that the conference was a call to action, asking the government and other stakeholders to give State Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) prevention and response top priority. He said, “With the new administration in place, RoLAC seeks an opportunity to renew efforts and realign priorities”.
The Edo State Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues was commended by Hartland Alliance Ltd. in a goodwill message by Senior State Programme Manager Dr. Eddichukwu Roderick for its leadership roles in addressing GBV. The campaign, called 16 Days of Activism, inspired action and amplified voices, laying the foundation for revolutionary change. He vowed to work together to fortify alliances, support survivors, and make investments in long-term fixes.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) State Coordinator, represented by Aigbeze Uhimwen, reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to funding worthwhile initiatives that guarantee the realization of the goal of a society free from gender-based violence.
The Keynote Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Maria Edeko, virtually gave a brief rundown of GBV interventions in Edo State, its achievements, sustainability and its future plans. According to her, the plans include the creation of more shelters for victims of GBV and pleaded with various stakeholders to step up their response system, which will encourage more persons to will be willing to speak up.
A five-man panel was organized for deliberation on how to achieve the “Edo of Our Dreams: Renewing the Commitments to End Violence Against Women and Girls’’. The Panel consisted of a representative of key stakeholders such as the Nigeria Police, Traditional Institution, the Ministry of Justice, the Edo State Manager of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) and the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria.
In the course of the deliberation, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, C. P. Iwo Remi, represented by the Officer in Charge of Gender Issues, Priscilla Ndudi, sought for synergy among stakeholders and urged victims to ensure that prompt reports are made to avoid contamination of evidence which is needed for prosecution and justice.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of awards by the Functioning First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Anani, to outstanding individuals and organisations, who have made remarkable differences in the crusade against GBV in the State. Receivers of the awards were the Deputy Speaker, Rt, Hon. (Mrs.) Maria Edeko; Echoes of Women in Africa, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Josemari Esccriva Foundation, Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) Foundation, and Society for the Empowerment of Women
- and Children (SOTHAWACA).
