Enugu inaugurates task force to end gender violence

The Enugu State Government on Monday launched the Enugu State Gender-Based Violence Taskforce, marking what stakeholders described as a historic turning point in the fight against gender-based violence across the state.

The event, held at the International Conference Centre, brought together government officials, civil society groups, traditional rulers, religious institutions, and development partners to strengthen coordinated action against GBV.

The Enugu State Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, said the occasion “is a bold declaration that gender-based violence has no home in Enugu State.”

She emphasized that the task force is an action-driven mechanism designed to prevent violence, protect survivors, and enforce accountability.

Enih reaffirmed her commitment to leading with integrity and ensuring that no survivor is silenced or denied justice, stressing that “the fight against GBV requires the involvement of every sector of society.”

She applauded Governor Peter Mbah for his political will and inclusive governance efforts that have created an enabling environment for the initiative to thrive.

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of civil society organizations, Dr. Ifeyinwa Nneji described GBV as “a moral and spiritual violation that undermines God’s intention for dignity, peace, and respect in homes and communities.”

Nneji emphasized that the goal is not to assign blame but to empower individuals with wisdom and preventive practices that promote harmony.

She encouraged families to “embrace communication, compassion, and self-control,” noting that homes grounded in “mutual love and understanding are the foundation of a violence-free society.”

Executive Director of the Economic and Social Empowerment of Rural Communities (ESERC), Rev’d Ikechukwu Nwaogu, said the inauguration represents a milestone in building a system that transforms how gender-based violence is reported, prevented, and prosecuted in Enugu State.

He explained that with support from the French Embassy Fund for Civil Society (FEF-OSC), ESERC is implementing a survivor-centered, community-driven model that previously yielded remarkable success in Ebonyi State under the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative.

He expressed confidence that “sustainable results will be achieved in Enugu through community engagement, a strengthened multi-sectoral response system, and economic empowerment programmes for survivors.”

In her inaugural speech, the newly appointed Coordinator of the Enugu State GBV Taskforce, Mrs. Genevieve Okwuowulu, described the task force as “a movement aimed at changing mind-sets, breaking cycles of silence, and ensuring that the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law is fully implemented across all communities.”

She reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring that every survivor is heard and every community becomes a safe space.

Enugu inaugurates task force to end gender violence - Punch Newspapers