By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Benue State Government in collaboration with international development organisation, Tearfund, on Tuesday commemorated the 2026 International Women’s Day with a call for stronger policies and collective action to empower women and adolescent girls as a pathway to sustainable development in the state.

The event, organised by Tearfund in partnership with the Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, brought together government officials, development partners, Civil Society Organisations and women leaders to reflect on the role of women in development and the need to address challenges limiting their progress.

Delivering the keynote address, the Secretary to the Benue State Government, SSG, Mrs. Deborah Aber said the global celebration offered an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women while renewing commitments toward gender equality and empowerment.

Aber noted that the theme of the event, “Empowering Women and Adolescent Girls as a Pathway to Sustainable Development in Benue State,” was timely, stressing that no society could achieve meaningful and lasting development without the active participation and protection of women and girls.

She said, “Women constitute the backbone of our communities. In Benue State, they are the primary drivers of agricultural production, custodians of family welfare, nurturers of future generations and increasingly leaders shaping our social, economic and political landscape.”

The SSG however, lamented that despite their contributions, many women and girls still face barriers such as limited access to education, economic marginalisation, Gender Based Violence, GBV, and inadequate representation in leadership and decision-making processes.

According to her, empowering women begins with education which equips girls with the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to participate meaningfully in society and contribute to development.

She also emphasised the importance of economic empowerment, noting that when women have access to financial resources, land ownership, agricultural inputs and entrepreneurial opportunities, the benefits extend to families and communities.

“In Benue State, where agriculture remains the mainstay of our economy, empowering women farmers through training, technology, credit facilities and access to markets can significantly boost productivity and food security,” Aber added.

The SSG further stressed the need to protect women and girls from violence, stating that GBV remains a major obstacle to women’s empowerment globally. She noted that Benue State had established a Sexual Assault Response Centre and referral pathways to support victims.

In her welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Thereza Ikwue, represented by the Director of Women Affairs, Mrs Magdalene Andor, said the celebration provided a platform to reflect on the achievements of women and renew commitments toward gender equality.

She explained that the theme of the year, “Give to Gain,” underscored the importance of investing in women through education, healthcare, economic opportunities and leadership development. “When women thrive, families are strengthened, communities become more resilient and nations move closer to sustainable development,” she said.

The Director-General of the Benue State Bureau for International Cooperation and Development, BICD, Dr Leo-Angelo Viashima, highlighted the governor’s efforts in promoting women in governance, noting that the administration had appointed the state’s first female Secretary to the State Government and other women to key positions.

Speaking on behalf of Tearfund, the Country Director, Mrs Regina Afiemo, represented by Project Officer, Olivia Shangbum, called on women to stand up against GBV and advocated the reservation of special seats for women in employment and political spaces.

Chairperson of the Benue State chapter of the National Council for Women Societies, NCWS, Mrs Grace Dewua, commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for prioritising women issues in his administration and urged women to support one another and actively seek elective positions.

Also speaking, the Chairperson of the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association, NAFOWA, Mrs Regina Ekwueme, represented by Mrs Veronica Alumona, urged women to remember the less privileged in society and continue to support initiatives that promote the welfare of women and Persons With Disabilities.

The event which was supported by Tearfund, Terres de Hommes (TdH), Julebrama Women and Children Initiative (JUWACI) and other CSOs also featured goodwill messages from other development partners and presentation by tearfund on Transforming Masculinities Model for GBV Prevention and Response by Dr. Joseph Asen as well as panel discussion on advancing gender responsive policies and empowerment for women and girls, while participants drawn from different sectors emphasised the need for sustained collaboration to enhance the empowerment of women and girls in Benue State.