Civil society groups, security agencies, judicial officers and healthcare professionals in Kwara State have been charged to strengthen collaboration and intensify efforts towards ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
The call was made by the Kwara State Commissioner for Social Development, Hon. Dr. Mariam Fatima Imam, during a capacity-building workshop for stakeholders on FGM prevention, survivor-centred care, and gender-based case management.
The training, held at Ilorin, on August 11, 2025, brought together participants from across relevant sectors.
Dr. Imam described the exercise as a shared commitment to building “a Kwara State where the dignity, safety and rights of women and children are fully protected.”
She warned that FGM remains a “grave violation of human rights” with lifelong physical, emotional and psychological consequences for survivors.
On the broader fight against gender-based violence, the Commissioner reaffirmed the state government’s resolve to work within national and international frameworks, including the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law and the Child Rights Law, to eliminate harmful cultural practices.
“We will not relent in pushing for a society free of gender-based violence in all its forms.
“Protecting our women and children is not just a legal duty, it is a moral responsibility we must all embrace,” she said.
The CEO of Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation (GLOHWOC), Dr. Christiana Abayomi Oluwole, in her presentation on “Understanding GBV & FGM”, defined gender-based violence as any harmful act directed at an individual based on gender, noting that it is deeply rooted in inequality, abuse of power, and harmful societal norms.
Participants reviewed types of FGM, their health and psychological consequences, as well as the legal framework and justice pathways available to survivors.
Discussions also centred on survivor-centred response, referral pathways, case management, and multi-sectoral coordination to strengthen local response systems.
Dr. Imam commended UNICEF and GLOHWOC for their unwavering advocacy, technical expertise, and consistent support in the fight against GBV and FGM in the state.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
