The Enugu State Government, in collaboration with the Economic and Social Empowerment of Rural Communities (ESERC), has launched the State Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Taskforce, a milestone in the collective journey to end GBV in the state.
The task force is part of a project funded by the French Government through the French Embassy Fund for Civil Society (FEF-OSC) and aims to provide survivor-centred services and community engagement in Enugu State.
The project has three pillars: community engagement, institutionalisation of a multi-sectoral GBV response system, and economic empowerment of survivors.
The community engagement pillar involves training and deploying Community Advocacy Groups (CAGs) in selected communities, sensitising communities on GBV, and engaging traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other influencers.
The institutionalisation of a multi-sectoral GBV response system involves the launch of the Enugu State GBV Taskforce, which brings together various ministries, departments, and agencies, including the Ministry of Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, the Ministry of Justice, and security agencies.
The task force, inaugurated by Governor Peter Mbah, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with several Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The economic empowerment pillar provides seed grants for survivors to rebuild their lives with dignity.
The Executive Director of ESERC, Rev’d Ikechukwu Nwaogu, emphasised that the era of impunity for perpetrators of GBV in Enugu State is over, and the task force will respond swiftly to reports of GBV.
The task force has circulated hotline numbers widely across communities, and anyone can report cases of GBV, including neighbours, church members, and strangers.
The Enugu State Government has provided an enabling environment for the project, and the Hon. Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Mrs. Ngozi Enih, has been instrumental in supporting the project.
It has also made notable progress in the social sector, including advances in healthcare, education, social protection, youth development, and inclusive governance. However, the government recognises that progress alone is not enough, and is committed to transforming the state’s approach to addressing GBV.
ESERC has successfully implemented a similar model in Ebonyi State, which led to a significant reduction in GBV cases, and the organisation is committed to replicating this success in Enugu State.
The launch of the task force is a call to action for all stakeholders, including government agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, and communities, to work together to end GBV in Enugu State.
The launch marks the beginning of a movement that says no to sexual and gender-based violence, protects women, children, and the most vulnerable, and ensures that survivors find justice and perpetrators are brought to book.
It will also ensure access to shelters, psychosocial support, legal aid, and medical care for survivors, and uphold dignity, confidentiality, and justice for every survivor.
The event was attended by government officials, development partners, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, security agencies, and the media.