…Launches Taskforce Against GBV

By Chinedu Adonu

ENUGU — A non-governmental organisation, Economic and Social Empowerment of Rural Communities (ESERC), has called on stakeholders in Enugu State to support its campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), as well as discrimination against Women Living with HIV (WLHIV) and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

The appeal was made during a press briefing in Enugu to unveil a new project titled “Breaking the Cycle of Gender-Based Violence: Survivor-Centred Service and Community Engagement in Enugu State.”

Executive Director of ESERC, Mr. Ikechukwu Nwaogu, urged the state government, civil society groups, religious and traditional institutions, the media, and local communities to unite in protecting survivors and vulnerable groups from abuse and systemic injustice.

“We call on the Government of Enugu State, development partners, civil society organizations, religious and traditional leaders, the media, and community members to support this initiative,” Nwaogu said. “Together, we can build a society where women and girls live free from violence, discrimination, fear, and harmful traditional practices.”

The project, supported by the French Embassy Fund for Civil Society (FEF-OSC), seeks to address sexual and physical violence by enhancing institutional and grassroots responses. Nwaogu said the fund reflects the French Government’s commitment to supporting community-led solutions to social challenges, especially those affecting vulnerable populations.

As part of the intervention, ESERC has established a taskforce and a committee to examine cases of violence, identify barriers to justice, and strengthen response mechanisms.

Nwaogu commended Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and the Enugu State Government for setting up a GBV Steering Committee and dedicated Taskforce, describing it as a “critical milestone” in the fight against GBV.

“Our project is designed to complement and strengthen government-led efforts by building synergy between the Steering Committee at the policy level and the Taskforce and Community Advocacy Groups (CAGs) at the operational and community levels,” he added.

He explained that the GBV Taskforce would serve as the operational backbone of the project, engaging directly with communities, tracking incidents, and distributing awareness materials with contact information for survivors seeking help.

“By aligning policy with grassroots operations, we ensure survivors are reached early and supported effectively, leaving no one behind.”

Nwaogu, however, decried the continued prevalence of violence against women and other vulnerable groups across Enugu and the South East, despite the presence of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act. He pointed to weak enforcement, lack of public awareness, stigma, poor service delivery, and institutional bottlenecks as major challenges.

He also emphasized the economic and social barriers that prevent survivors from seeking justice, including financial dependence on abusers and the country’s high unemployment rate.

“Women living with HIV and persons with disabilities face additional layers of discrimination, with limited access to support services and enduring social exclusion,” he said. “Patriarchal norms and harmful traditions discourage survivors from speaking out, while support systems are either underfunded or inaccessible, especially in rural areas.”

Since its founding in 2006, ESERC has worked to promote gender equality, health equity, and human rights in underserved communities, focusing on GBV prevention, HIV/AIDS response, women’s empowerment, youth development, and community resilience.

Nwaogu concluded by urging all stakeholders to intensify collective action to eliminate GBV and create a safer, more inclusive society for all.