Enugu launches multi-sectoral taskforce to end gender-based violence

The Rising Challenge of Gender-Based Violence in Enugu State

Enugu State has witnessed a disturbing increase in gender-based violence in recent months, with cases ranging from domestic abuse to fatal attacks. The tragic killing of 19-year-old Loveth Uloma Nwangwu by a relative inside a public pharmacy at Nsukka's Total Roundabout highlighted the urgent need for systematic intervention. Such incidents have underscored the vulnerability of women and girls to violence and the gaps in existing protection mechanisms.

This surge in GBV cases has drawn attention from civil society, government agencies, and community leaders, emphasizing the necessity of a coordinated response. Beyond physical violence, many survivors face psychological trauma, social stigma, and limited access to justice and support services. Enugu’s stakeholders recognized that fragmented efforts were insufficient to tackle these multifaceted challenges effectively.

As a result, the state government, in collaboration with partners, resolved to establish a multi-sectoral taskforce that would integrate prevention, protection, accountability, and survivor empowerment. This taskforce aims to reverse the rising trend of GBV by fostering collaboration among diverse actors and ensuring that survivors receive comprehensive care and justice.

Formation and Launch of the Enugu GBV Taskforce

On a landmark Monday, Enugu State officially launched its Gender-Based Violence taskforce at the International Conference Centre, bringing together government officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society representatives, and security agencies. The event was spearheaded by the Economic and Social Empowerment of Rural Communities (ESERC), the Ministry of Children, Gender and Social Development, and funded by the French Embassy Fund for Civil Society (FEF-OSC).

Mrs. Ngozi Eni, the Commissioner for Children, Gender and Social Development and Chair of the taskforce, declared the initiative a bold and actionable statement that GBV has no place in Enugu. She emphasized that the taskforce is not merely symbolic but a functional mechanism with explicit mandates on prevention, protection, accountability, and multi-sectoral coordination across the state.

The launch ceremony underscored the commitment of Governor Peter Mbah and his administration to prioritizing GBV response through inclusive governance and a survivor-centered framework. The presence of diverse stakeholders reflected the taskforce’s broad-based approach, recognizing that eliminating GBV requires concerted efforts from all sectors of society.

Key Objectives and Mandates of the Taskforce

The Enugu GBV taskforce operates on four primary mandates: prevention, protection, accountability, and coordination. Prevention focuses on community sensitization, education, and addressing root causes of violence, including harmful cultural norms and gender inequality. Protection involves establishing safe shelters, legal aid, and psychosocial support for survivors.

Accountability underlines the importance of ensuring that perpetrators face justice through efficient investigation and prosecution mechanisms. This mandate also includes strengthening institutional responses to GBV cases to avoid impunity. Coordination aims to unify efforts across government agencies, security forces, civil society, and traditional institutions for a seamless and effective response.

Together, these mandates form a comprehensive framework intended to reduce GBV incidence, enhance survivor support, and promote societal transformation. The taskforce’s holistic approach recognizes that prevention and response must be integrated and survivor-centered to achieve sustainable impact.

Collaborative Partnerships Enhancing GBV Response

A cornerstone of the taskforce’s effectiveness lies in its multi-sectoral partnership model. The collaboration between ESERC, the Ministry of Children, Gender and Social Development, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious bodies, and international donors like the French Embassy ensures resource pooling and shared expertise.

Traditional and religious leaders play a pivotal role as community gatekeepers whose influence can shift societal attitudes towards gender equality and non-violence. Bishop Christian Onyeka Onyia of Nike Anglican Diocese and Igwe Samuel Asadu, Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, pledged active involvement in advocacy and community mobilization efforts.

Security agencies’ engagement enhances timely investigation and prosecution of GBV cases, while civil society organizations contribute expertise in survivor support and public education. This synergy fosters a unified front against GBV, bridging gaps that previously hindered effective response.

Community Engagement and Survivor Empowerment Initiatives

Central to the taskforce’s strategy is empowering survivors and engaging communities to create sustainable change. ESERC’s Executive Director, Reverend Ikechukwu Nwaogu, highlighted ongoing training programs for Community Advocacy Groups in Enugu East and Nkanu East, aimed at building local capacity for GBV prevention and response.

The taskforce has also introduced seed grant programs to support survivors’ economic empowerment, enabling them to rebuild their lives and reduce vulnerability to further abuse. These initiatives recognize that economic independence is critical to breaking cycles of violence.

Public awareness campaigns, distribution of hotline numbers in schools, markets, churches, and community centers, and safer reporting channels are additional measures designed to encourage survivors to seek help without fear of stigma or retaliation. This survivor-centered approach prioritizes dignity, confidentiality, and holistic care.

Strengthening Legal and Psychosocial Support Systems

A robust legal framework and psychosocial support are vital components of the taskforce’s mandate to ensure survivors receive justice and healing. The taskforce collaborates with legal aid organizations to provide survivors with access to legal counsel and assistance throughout the judicial process.

Psychosocial services, including counseling and trauma care, are being expanded through partnerships with health institutions and NGOs to address the emotional and mental health impacts of GBV. Commissioner for Health, Professor George Ugwu, emphasized the importance of responsible behavior and community support in preventing violence.

By integrating these services, the taskforce aims to create a seamless continuum of care that addresses both immediate safety and long-term recovery needs of survivors, fostering resilience and reintegration into society.

Accountability and Justice: Ending Impunity in GBV Cases

Ensuring accountability is critical to deterring GBV and rebuilding public trust in justice institutions. The taskforce has prioritized strengthening investigative procedures and judicial processes to expedite the prosecution of GBV perpetrators.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by all partners formalizes commitments to transparent and coordinated action, preventing delays and systemic failures that often deny survivors justice. Security agencies have been tasked with proactive monitoring and rapid response to reported cases.

The taskforce’s zero-tolerance stance on impunity sends a clear message that GBV perpetrators will face consequences, contributing to a safer environment for women and vulnerable groups. This approach supports the broader goal of transforming societal norms and reinforcing the rule of law.

Future Outlook and Sustained Commitment to GBV Elimination

The launch of the GBV taskforce in Enugu represents the beginning of a sustained movement towards ending gender-based violence. Stakeholders have pledged ongoing collaboration, resource mobilization, and policy advocacy to strengthen the taskforce’s impact over time.

Plans include expanding community advocacy training, enhancing data collection and monitoring systems, and scaling economic empowerment programs for survivors. Continuous engagement with traditional and religious institutions will remain a priority to embed GBV prevention within cultural frameworks.

By fostering a culture of respect, protection, and justice, Enugu State aims to serve as a model for other Nigerian states confronting similar challenges. The taskforce’s success depends on sustained political will, community participation, and survivor-centered innovation.

Conclusion

The establishment of the Gender-Based Violence taskforce in Enugu State marks a transformative step in combating the scourge of violence against women and vulnerable populations. By adopting a multi-sectoral, survivor-centered, and community-driven approach, the taskforce addresses the complex dimensions of GBV with coordinated prevention, protection, and accountability measures. The collaboration of government agencies, traditional and religious leaders, civil society, and security forces reflects a unified commitment to ending impunity and fostering a safer, more equitable society. As Enugu strengthens its legal, psychosocial, and economic support systems, it sets a precedent for other regions grappling with similar challenges. Continued engagement, resource mobilization, and inclusive governance will be pivotal in ensuring that every survivor is heard, every perpetrator is held accountable, and every community rejects gender-based violence unequivocally.