GBV in Benue: BICD, partners launch intensive training as data shows “77% of women face violence”

By Benedicta Aboh

The Benue State Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD), in collaboration with Ohonyeta Caregivers and Christian Aid, on Tuesday launched a three-day capacity-building training focused on strengthening Gender-Based Violence (GBV) response and safeguarding systems across the state.

The programme, which opened in Makurdi, brought together Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as civil society organisations (CSOs), particularly women-led groups, to enhance their skills in addressing gender-sensitive issues.

Speaking at the opening session, Daniel Oyigoga, Project Manager at Ohonyeta Caregivers, said the initiative was designed to “support BICD in improving institutional responses to GBV and safeguarding across Benue.”

According to him, the training would enable participants to better understand GBV dynamics, improve programming, and strengthen proposal development.

“By the end of this training, participants will have a clearer grasp of project implementation on GBV and safeguarding, including the internal policies needed to make these systems work,” Oyigoga stated.

Day one featured in-depth presentations on GBV as a public health emergency, survivor experiences, service provider responsibilities, and how attitudes of frontline workers can shape the quality of care survivors receive.

Facilitators drew attention to alarming figures from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) 2018, which show that 77.4% of women aged 15–49 in Benue have faced physical violence, while 27.81% have experienced emotional abuse from intimate partners.

They also highlighted disturbing reports of sexual violence in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. “Thirty percent of women and girls aged 15-49 experience sexual violence in the Daudu IDP camp alone,” one facilitator revealed.

Experts warned that dismissive attitudes, breaches of confidentiality, or failure to identify subtle signs of abuse could expose survivors to deeper trauma or further harm. They stressed that health workers and social service providers often encounter survivors who do not explicitly disclose violence but present with related health complications.

Key messages from the session underscored the importance of self-awareness among service providers, active listening, non-judgmental communication, and adherence to human rights principles such as dignity, autonomy, safety, and non-discrimination.

Participants were also sensitised on groups considered most vulnerable to GBV, including women living alone, persons in abusive relationships, rural girls and women, people with disabilities, survivors in conflict-affected areas, and women who openly challenge social norms.

Facilitators outlined foundational principles guiding GBV response in humanitarian and development contexts, emphasising a survivor-centred approach, informed consent, confidentiality, and security.

Other technical sessions explored legal support for survivors, provision of essential supplies such as dignity kits, cash-based assistance, and the importance of multisectoral coordination.

Stakeholders were urged to establish functional referral pathways, adopt inter-agency standard operating procedures, and ensure safe data management through tools such as the GBV Information Management System (GBVIMS).

On preventive strategies, experts highlighted the need for community engagement, particularly involving men and boys in behavioural change programmes. They also stressed the value of economic and social empowerment — including livelihood support, leadership development, and financial literacy training — to reduce vulnerability among women and girls.

The three-day training continues until Thursday.