By Dorathy Aninge
The Benue State Government has inaugurated a Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Response Team to strengthen institutional coordination and improve services for survivors of gender-based violence.
The inauguration, held on Wednesday in Makurdi, was organised by the Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare.
It was organised in collaboration with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), with support from the European Union (EU).
Speaking, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Theresa Ikwue, described the initiative as a major milestone in the state’s efforts to eliminate SGBV.
Ikwue said the response team would strengthen collaboration among relevant stakeholders, improve referral pathways and ensure survivors had access to justice, protection and psychosocial support.
She appreciated the development partners for supporting the initiative, noting that tackling SGBV required coordinated action by government institutions and stakeholders.
“No single institution can address this challenge alone.
“Effective prevention and response require collaboration, coordinated planning, information sharing and commitment from all stakeholders,” she said.
The commissioner urged members of the team to develop practical and sustainable solutions that would enhance protection for women, children and other vulnerable groups.
Also speaking, Dr Aondoaseer Viashima, stressed the need to strengthen government institutions to sustain development interventions beyond donor-funded projects.
Viashima is the Director-General of the Benue State Bureau for International Cooperation and Development.
Viashima urged development partners to align their interventions with the state’s coordinated response framework to ensure lasting impact.
A representative of the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity, Mr Terkimbi Ikyange, said sexual and gender-based violence remained a major public health, development and human rights challenge.
He cited the World Health Organisation’s statistics indicating that one in three women globally had experienced physical or sexual violence.
He noted that many cases remained unreported due to stigma, fear and limited access to justice.
According to him, conflict-induced displacement has increased the vulnerability of women and girls in Benue.
He called for greater investment in youth advocacy, gender equality and positive masculinity to prevent violence.
Also, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Timothy Ornguga, reaffirmed the Ministry of Justice’s commitment to strengthening legal and policy frameworks to address gender-based violence.
Orngu was represented by a legal professional and child rights advocate, Mrs Deborah Ikape.
He said the ministry would continue to collaborate with stakeholders to review existing laws, support institutional reforms and improve access to justice for survivors.
The meeting featured technical presentations by officials of International IDEA on the SGBV situation in Nigeria.
It also reviewed and adopted the response team’s Terms of Reference aimed at strengthening coordinated action across relevant institutions.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Esenvosa Izah