By Douglas Princemola
To train government officials and MDAs, the WomenAid Collective (WACOL) held a one-day training workshop on October 10, 2025, in Owerri, Imo State. The session aimed to equip key stakeholders to better prevent and respond to violence against women and girls (VAWG), while promoting their sexual and reproductive health rights.
The workshop brought together officers and representatives from key ministries including Justice, Health, Education, Women Affairs, Social Welfare, and other relevant departments. The goal was to create a more coordinated and effective response to violence against women and girls, while also advancing their sexual and reproductive health rights.
Violence against women and girls remains a growing concern across Nigeria, including in Imo State. Women face various forms of abuse domestic violence, sexual assault, early and forced marriage, female genital cutting, and emotional abuse. Many survivors are unable to report or seek justice due to fear, stigma, or a lack of adequate support. This workshop was designed to address those challenges and to ensure government officials are equipped with the knowledge and tools to act effectively.
The event began with the arrival and registration of participants, coordinated by Ms. Stella Igwe. A welcome session and round of introductions followed, led by Mr. Emmanuel Ubajekwe, during which participants shared their roles and expectations for the training.
A key session was delivered by Dr. Chigoziri, who gave a detailed presentation on the various forms of violence women and girls experience. She explained physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse, and discussed their root causes—including harmful cultural norms, gender inequality, and silence around abuse.
Dr. Chigoziri pointed out that harmful beliefs such as early marriage or the idea that a man has the right to beat his wife still exist in some communities. These beliefs, she said, make it difficult to protect women and uphold their rights. She also spoke about the public health impact of gender-based violence, noting that survivors often experience trauma, mental health issues, and increased risk of infections like HIV and other STDs.
She encouraged participants to challenge these beliefs, support survivors with care, and use their positions to respond properly to cases of abuse. She also shared national data showing the high rates of gender-based violence and the need for better response systems.
Legal officers from the Ministry of Justice led a session on how to prosecute cases of violence against women and girls. They spoke about using existing laws, collecting proper evidence, working with police and social workers, and ensuring survivors are treated with respect throughout the legal process. They also discussed common challenges in the justice system, including delays in court, lack of legal aid, and limited knowledge of laws like the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.
Another session was led by Dr. Emmanuel Osuji, who guided participants through group exercises using real life case studies. Teams worked together to decide how best to handle different situations involving abuse. The activity showed the importance of cooperation among police, health workers, lawyers, and social workers.
Discussions during the session showed that no single agency can solve the problem alone. Each has a role to play. Participants discussed the need to improve referral systems so survivors can quickly get help such as medical care, legal support, shelter, and counselling. They also talked about educating the public to change harmful attitudes and reduce stigma around gender-based violence.
At the end of the workshop, each ministry and agency was asked to develop a simple action plan based on the training. These included practical steps such as creating gender desks in offices, visiting schools and communities for awareness campaigns, training more staff on gender issues, and improving how cases are tracked and reported.
WACOL stated it would continue working with the government to protect the rights of women and girls. The organisation also encouraged all stakeholders to take the plans they created seriously and to stay active in efforts to reduce gender-based violence in the state.
The workshop showed that real progress is possible when government agencies, civil society, and local communities work together. It was an important step toward making Imo State safer for women and girls, where they can enjoy their rights and access needed support without fear.
