Coordinator Office of the First Lady hosts GBV Stakeholders to Enhance Effectiveness, Efficiency

By Adesuwa Ehimuan

In a bid to enhance effectiveness and efficiency in Gender Based Violence management in Edo State, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani has charged relevant stakeholders to intensify the fight against gender-based violence by ensuring that the rights of women and children in the society are upheld.

Mrs. Anani gave the charge while hosting the 13th GBV Management Committee at the Government House in Benin City. She emphasized the meeting’s importance in addressing gender-related issues and explained the nature of GBV.

According to her, “Both men and women suffer from GBV, but most times, women are more at the receiving end. Our goal is to raise awareness and educate stakeholders on eliminating GBV in our society.

Mrs Anani further stated, “Gender-based violence is not only physical; it can also be emotional. Both genders suffer emotional trauma, and it has socioeconomic implications. Domestic violence is often visible. We also have harmful practices rooted in our culture as Africans, I always say it’s challenging to differentiate between what’s harmful and what’s cultural.

“But lately, we have been trying to raise awareness against female genital mutilation (FGM) of the girl child. This harmful practice is a form of violence against the girl child. We condemn violence against women, and the Edo State Government is committed to protecting the rights of women and children in the State”.

The Coordinator referenced how GBV has caused significant harm to its victims and pledged to support courses against GBV with her office. She said, “I welcome everyone here. From my office, we have made ongoing efforts to sensitize the public on violence and gender. Our approach is women-friendly, and we encourage men to respect women’s rights while promoting healthy relationships.

“On my part here in the office, we have been able to sensitize women, sensitize the public. Every group that comes to this office, I preach about gender-based violence. It has damaged a lot of people, and we see it every day. It has damaged the self-esteem of women, to a certain extent, they are so used to it. They really do not know when they are being violated. Because you are used to being battered, you just think it’s normal. It looks normal because we have accepted it to be normal. These are the sensitizations we want to talk about and our action plans. What do we do when we have cases like that?”

The Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Ed State, Dr. Samson Osagie, expressed confidence in the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration’s commitment to tackling GBV. He requested more collaborations and supports from the State Government to facilitate the efforts.

Dr. Osagie said, “I just want to suggest that the seriousness of the mandate of this Committee is such that we cannot rely only on sponsors because violence in itself is a crime and it was just only for the purpose of emphasis that this law was passed to protect the vulnerable in our society particularly women and children. Although research and facts now have shown that men suffer a huge level of violence even from their spouses.

“This Committee may need to crave the indulgence of his Excellency the Governor for a visit where we drive home the importance of State Government support. If you’re able to reduce the level of domestic violence, you’re helping the society to bring about peace because the primary unit of the society is the family and it borders on peace and security which is a primary purpose of the Government. So, we will need to seek an audience with Mr. Governor for the purpose of budgeting so that this Committee and the ministries that are involved can have adequate funding for its activities”.

The meeting allowed stakeholders to discuss how to improve their effectiveness and efficiency as a team in discharging its duties and assess the progress toward meeting their year 2025 target. Presentations were also given by stakeholders on reports of January to March, 2025; covering cases of GBV in progress, referred, concluded, abandoned, among others. A unanimous agreement was reached for staff forensic training to equip them with the necessary skills to excel in their roles.

In attendance were the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomole; the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Bisi Idaomi, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Joy Irenose Ihensekhien; the President of Medical Women Association, Dr. Irene Akhideno; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Aikefe O. Agbavboa; stakeholders drawn from relevant MDAs, NGOs, amongst others.