By Dorathy Aninge
The Benue Government is partnering with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other organisations to strengthen gender-based violence (GBV) case management, mental health and psychosocial support for social workers and frontline service providers.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Theresa Ikwue, reaffirms the state government’s commitment to GBV at a five-day training organised by the Royal Heritage Health Foundation with support from UNFPA and other partners, held on Monday in Makurdi.
Ikwue commended the organisers for building the capacity of frontline responders and reiterated the ministry’s commitment to working with development partners to improve survivor-centred services across Benue.
The commissioner expressed optimism that training would equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to provide quality care and protection for GBV survivors.
She urged participants to actively engage in the training, share experiences and strengthen coordination to enhance support for women, children and other vulnerable persons before officially declaring the training open.
While giving his goodwill message, Director General of the Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD) Dr Aondoaseer Viashima thanked UNFPA for putting up the initiative at a time when it is needed most.
Viashima said survivors of GBV are now having the confidence to speak out and say their truth, which shows that they are adhering to the call to come out and speak.
He called on the Ministry of Women Affairs to make sure they have a data site where they document every activity that would be carried out at the five-day training.
Viashima called on participants to make use of the training and be good ambassadors in fighting GBV in the state.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Creativity, Dr Philip Nongu, represented by Mr Jonathan Degarr, Acting Director of Youth, appreciated UNFPA and other partners for the initiative.
Nongu reiterated that programmes like the training demonstrate strong commitment towards empowering the youths and protecting vulnerable groups in the society.
The commissioner urged UNFPA to create an enabling environment for youths to portray their full potential and encouraged participants to share ideas that would strengthen their collective efforts in combating GBV.
While addressing participants at the training, Mr Christian Macaulay, UNFPA Humanitarian Coordinator, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Benue’s response to the humanitarian crisis through strengthened gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and survivor support services.
Macaulay said women and girls remain the most affected during humanitarian emergencies and are at heightened risk of GBV and other rights violations.
The coordinator stated that the training would equip frontline workers with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to provide survivor-centred services.
According to him, the beneficiaries would be trained on GBV case management, mental health and psychosocial support, referral pathways, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA).
He further stressed the importance of listening to survivors without judgement, maintaining confidentiality, making appropriate referrals where necessary, and ensuring service delivery does not further harm affected persons.
Macaulay urged the participants to actively engage throughout the five-day training, contribute their community experiences, and apply the knowledge gained to strengthen GBV response and protection services across Benue. NAN
