Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN) has held a community event in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, to enhance local engagement in preventing and addressing gender-based violence (GBV).
The event brought together community leaders, civil society groups, and residents to discuss practical strategies for tackling GBV. PWAN emphasized the importance of awareness, collaboration, and support systems for survivors in creating safer communities.
This initiative is being specifically implemented in two local government areas: Afikpo and Afikpo South, which are now referred to as Afikpo and Edda, respectively in Ebonyi State.
According to Ijeoma Igwe, the Property and Wealth Association of Nigeria (PWAN) is undertaking a pioneering initiative to combat gender-based violence (GBV) in Ebonyi State. The organization acknowledges that many instances of GBV typically necessitate a response rather than proactive prevention measures.
“PWAN is determined to change this narrative by focusing on proactive measures to prevent GBV from occurring in the first place.
“To achieve this goal, PWAN has brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, community leaders, and civil society organizations. This collaborative approach aims to address the root causes of GBV and promote a culture of prevention.
“We know that most of the cases we deal with are response-driven, where we react after the incident has occurred.
“But what we’re trying to do is prevent GBV from happening in the first place. That’s why we have a mix of crowd here today, to ensure that we’re tackling this issue from all angles,” Igwe explained.
HRH Ezeogo Dickson Obo-Okorie, the Osisioma of Umunna autonomous community in Edda local government area of Ebonyi state was part of the participants in the training programme.
He promised to take back what he had learnt to his community and focus on community engagement and awareness-raising activities to educate the public about GBV and its devastating effects.
“I have learnt a lot here today. I have learnt some things I never considered to be gender-based violence and when I get to my Kingdom, I shall summon all my cabinet Chiefs and the town union president to intimate them in what I have learnt and encourage them to go carry it out without delay. I shall also ask the town crier to make a public announcement intimating the entire community on issues at hand,” Ezeogo Obo-Okorie said.
Goals and Objectives
The project’s primary goal is to promote a collaborative approach between law enforcement agencies and communities in addressing GBV.
By fostering a better understanding of GBV issues and promoting effective communication, the project aims to improve response mechanisms and support services for survivors.
The Ford Foundation’s support for this project underscores the organization’s commitment to addressing GBV and promoting human rights in Nigeria. The partnership with PWAN is expected to yield positive outcomes in the targeted states, contributing to a safer and more supportive environment for women and girls.
The outcomes of this event will inform the implementation of project activities in the coming months, with a focus on building the capacity of law enforcement officers and community members to respond effectively to GBV cases.