BENIN CITY – The Edo State Government has renewed its commitment to intensifying the fight against Gender-Based Violence, GBV, as the State Gender-Based Violence Management Committee, GBVMC held its 17th Quarterly Meeting with stakeholders pledging stronger and more coordinated action to prevent violence and improve support for survivors.
The meeting, held at the New Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City brought together government officials, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, development partners and other stakeholders to review progress, identify gaps and strengthen the State’s response to GBV.
Addressing participants, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady and Chairperson of the Edo State GBV MC, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, commended stakeholders for their sustained commitment and collaboration, stressing that ending GBV requires consistent and coordinated action from government, civil society, traditional rulers, development partners and communities.
She reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to ensuring that women, girls, children and other vulnerable persons live free from violence, abuse and discrimination, noting that several programmes were being implemented through her office in partnership with relevant stakeholders.
Anani highlighted the establishment of GBV School Clubs across schools in the State as one of the initiatives aimed at preventing violence among young people. She explained that the clubs are designed to educate students about their rights, promote healthy relationships, prevent violence and provide information on reporting mechanisms and available support services.
She also acknowledged the two-day assessment visit to Edo State by the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs, describing the engagement as an opportunity to showcase the State’s progress in addressing GBV while identifying areas requiring improved prevention, protection and response mechanisms.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, disclosed that Edo State had received the Award of Excellence as the Best Performing State in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Protection at the 26th National Council on Women Affairs, Child Advancement and Social Development held in Taraba State.
Hon Abdallah said the recognition was a testament to the collective efforts of stakeholders across the State and not the achievement of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development alone.
She reaffirmed the core mandate of the GBV Committee to safeguard women, girls, children and other vulnerable persons, while creating an environment where they can live free from violence in homes, schools, communities and other spaces.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomole, called for prompt, compassionate and confidential care for survivors of GBV, stressing the need for timely medical attention, psycho-social support, proper documentation and referral for justice. He urged survivors not to delay seeking help, noting that fear and stigma should not prevent access to essential services.
He also disclosed that the Ministry of Health was strengthening the State’s health-sector response through staff training, improved referral systems, better documentation and the expansion of sexual assault referral centres, while emphasising the importance of reliable data in guiding prevention and response efforts
Similarly, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, represented by the Director of Information in the Ministry, Mrs. Maureen Nwine, highlighted the Ministry’s role in public sensitisation and awareness on GBV.
Prince Afegbua disclosed that GBV jingles had been produced and were being aired on the Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) television and radio platforms.
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