The Edo State Government has reinforced its commitment to tackling Gender-Based Violence (GBV) through strategic partnerships, as the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development hosted the Edo State chapter of the Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS) on an advocacy visit.
The delegation, led by its State Coordinator, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe (SAN), held talks with the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Eugenia Abdallah, focusing on strengthening protection mechanisms for women and vulnerable groups across the state.
During the meeting, Omorogbe highlighted CWEENS’ ongoing project, “Combating Gender-Based Violence Through Holistic Empowerment of Women in Urban and Rural Areas in Edo State,” stressing the need for a survivor-centred approach. She also called for closer collaboration with existing government structures, particularly the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), to improve intervention outcomes.
Responding, Abdallah commended the organisation’s grassroots advocacy and reaffirmed the state government’s resolve to ensure access to justice and comprehensive support services for survivors of GBV.
She noted that the Ministry, as the lead agency for protecting women and vulnerable populations, cannot tackle the challenge alone, emphasizing the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration.
The Commissioner further stated that CWEENS’ dual focus on urban and rural communities aligns with the government’s goal of ensuring inclusive access to safety and justice across Edo State. She assured the group of the Ministry’s readiness to provide policy direction and institutional backing to enhance the impact and sustainability of its programmes.
Abdallah added that strengthening referral pathways, including the Sexual Assault Referral Centre, remains a priority, stressing that partnerships with community-based organisations are key to expanding outreach and effectiveness.
She reaffirmed the Ministry’s openness to collaboration, noting that combining government policy frameworks with community-level engagement would help build a more robust response system against GBV and protect survivors.
The visit highlights ongoing efforts by the Edo State Government to promote coordinated, multi-sectoral responses to Gender-Based Violence while advancing the welfare and dignity of women and vulnerable groups.
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