From Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Stakeholders in Benue State have pledged stronger collaboration to promote gender equality, tackle Gender-Based Violence, GBV, and expand access to education and healthcare services, as part of their commitment to advance the rights and well- being of the girl-child.
The stakeholders made the commitment during a panel discussion at an advocacy and leadership workshop organised by Concerned Women International Development Initiative, CWIDI, in collaboration with partners, aimed at strengthening leadership and advocacy skills among AGYW in Benue State.
The event brought together policymakers, civil society actors and youth representatives to explore how young women could become visible contributors to policies that shape their lives.
In her contribution, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Theresa Ikwue, represented by the Director of Women Affairs, Mrs Magdalene Andoor, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to empower AGYW, especially marginalised groups to participate in decision-making processes that affect their rights, health and well-being.
She noted the work of the ministry’s Technical Working Group, TWG, on GBV, which serves as a hub to collect and analyse data on cases of abuse, including rape and battery.
She urged survivors of GBV, particularly rape, to report cases within 24 hours to the ministry for swift action, assuring them of confidentiality and justice.
The commissioner equally encouraged the affected persons to visit the Sexual Assault Referral Centre, SARC, for psychosocial and medical support.
She released emergency contact lines for reporting GBV: including
📞 Gender Focal Person: 0806 211 1464 and
📞 Director of Women Affairs: 0703 815 9353 respectively.
She advised AGYW to become more visible and organised in advocacy spaces by forming clusters and holding registered meetings, noting that the ministry has created a dedicated WhatsApp group to facilitate engagement with young women across the state.
Also speaking, the Chairman, House Standing Committee on Women Affairs, Becky Orpin, represented by Dr Moses Tsevenda, revealed that the Benue State House of Assembly is working on a bill that will mandate tertiary institutions to reserve special admission slots for female students in professional fields such as medicine, law, pharmacy, engineering and mathematics, adding that it intends to encourage women to pursue careers in fields where they are underrepresented.
The lawmaker, who also revealed that the House in collaboration with the executive and the Ministry of Health is pushing for a legislation to make antenatal care free to reduce the burden on young mothers, added that the House, in collaboration with the Ministries of Justice and Women Affairs, is reviewing the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, VAPP, to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and expand protection, particularly for adolescent girls.
“Legislation must be responsive to the realities of our young women. “lBut we can only act if we hear their voices. That is why visibility, coordination and participation are essential.”
The Deputy Director of Public Health, who represented the Director of Public Health, Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services, Mr Kuraun Wence, reiterated the ministry’s commitment to partner AGYW groups to promote youth inclusion in public health programmes.
He disclosed that the ministry plans to integrate AGYW into its Primary Health Care, PHC, network across the 23 local government areas, as well as make them part of the planning and execution of policies that affect their health and rights.
Wence explained that by embedding AGYW, the ministry hopes to improve health literacy, strengthen community engagement and ensure that interventions reflect women’s live experiences.
Representative of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, AHF, Agabaidu Queen shared their ongoing initiatives to empower AGYW in communities such as Adaka and Awe Street in Makurdi.
She said the Foundation has established mentorship structures, youth-friendly service desks and community meetings to promote access to health services and mentorship for young girls.
Mrs Agabaidu said the goal of the foundation is to create safe and accessible spaces where young girls could speak freely, receive mentorship and access critical health services without fear or judgment.
