The Anambra State Government, in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria, has inaugurated a Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee focused on the prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The committee was launched in Awka by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Children, Mrs. Ify Obinabo. The event drew participation from traditional rulers representing the state’s three senatorial districts, alongside religious leaders, police officials, medical and legal professionals, media representatives, and other key stakeholders.
During the inauguration, Commissioner Obinabo emphasized that combating GBV is a priority for Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy on societal misconduct. She urged religious leaders to incorporate messages against GBV in their sermons, highlighting the need for collective action.
In a broader statement, the commissioner condemned GBV across Anambra State and Nigeria. She also encouraged fathers to draft early wills, which can be revised over time, to prevent disputes among family members after their passing.
Speaking on behalf of ActionAid Nigeria, Mrs. Vivian Efem-Bassey, Manager of Project and Lagos Office, outlined the organization’s efforts to create an environment in Anambra where women and girls can live free from the threat of GBV. She stressed that the committee’s key role would involve educating and sensitizing communities, advocating for the implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, and holding the government accountable for its enforcement.
Following the inauguration, participants were engaged in an orientation session and began a four-day training program. The sessions covered a range of topics, including the language of gender equality, the impact of socio-cultural and religious norms on GBV, and strategies for advocacy and social change to address the root causes of GBV in Anambra State.
