The Benue Government says it will strengthen its response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) under a European Union-funded programme being implemented by the Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA).
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Theresa Ikwue, made the disclosure during a meeting with officials of International IDEA in Makurdi.
Ikwue described the partnership as an answered prayer, noting that it would help address challenges hindering effective service delivery by the ministry.
She identified key gaps in the state’s GBV response, including the absence of a dedicated shelter for survivors, inadequate office space and equipment, fragmented manual data systems, and weak referral pathways.
The commissioner said improved budgetary allocations to GBV interventions were necessary to address these challenges and enhance support services for survivors.
The Project Coordinator of International IDEA, Mrs Gloria Bai, said the programme aims to combat sexual and gender-based violence through prevention, policy and legal reforms, and comprehensive support for survivors.
She said the EU-funded project is being implemented in Benue, Kaduna, and Oyo states.
According to Bai, planned interventions include the renovation of shelters using existing government facilities, the establishment of a co-located GBV unit with counseling rooms and electronic data capture systems, and a high-level stakeholders’ meeting to formalize referral pathways.
The project coordinator added that the initiative would also support the annual campaign against GBV.
She further said national partners, including the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the National Human Rights Commission, the Legal Aid Council, and the National Bureau of Statistics, would support implementation of the project.
It was reported that the initiative is expected to strengthen the enforcement of GBV-related laws and improve services for survivors across the state.
