Ebonyi GBV taskforce hailed as national model at 2nd quarter coordination meeting

The leadership of the Ebonyi State Gender-Based Violence, GBV, Taskforce has received widespread commendation for sustaining a model that has put the state in the international spotlight and is now being replicated in other states.

Stakeholders gave the commendation on Thursday during the taskforce’s 2nd Quarter Coordination Meeting in Abakaliki.

The meeting was organised by the taskforce with support from Jhpiego under its project on Advancing Service Delivery for Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights and Communicable Diseases in Ebonyi State.

Rev. Ikechukwu Nwogu, Executive Director of Economic and Social Empowerment of Rural Communities, ESERC, said the Ebonyi model drew applause from participants across nations when he presented it at a conference in South Africa recently.

ESERC was among the CSOs that supported the official launch of the Taskforce in 2021 under the UN-EU Spotlight Initiative.

“When I finished the presentation, I was overwhelmed by the applause. It gladdened my heart knowing my organisation was part of those instrumental to the formal launch in 2021,” Nwogu said.

He attributed the Taskforce’s progress to the quality of leadership under Barr. Faith-Vin Nwanchor and the commitment of partner agencies. 

“The taskforce has continued to respond to GBV cases even three years after Spotlight Initiative, USAID-IHP and other donors exited. That is because we have people who are passionate about ending GBV in their state,” he noted.

Nwogu added that the Ebonyi model has already given birth to the Enugu State GBV Taskforce, with plans to replicate it in Imo, Anambra and Abia before expanding to other regions.

Marcelina Ibina, former Director of Women Affairs in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, said the Taskforce had improved data gathering, which was previously a major challenge.

“I make bold anywhere I go to mention Ebonyi GBV Taskforce. Before now, we were working without data. Without data you are going nowhere. We are moving forward,” she said.

State Coordinator of the Taskforce and Head of the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Department in the Ministry of Justice, Barr. Nwanchor, said the meeting was to review performance, address challenges and strengthen implementation of the VAPP Law, strategic plan and referral pathways.

She said with Jhpiego’s support, reportage had improved this year, with about 70% compliance from partners, despite the crash of the national dashboard previously.

Presenting the data, the Taskforce PRO, Goodness Mgbaja, said the Taskforce recorded 1,199 cases between January and June 2026. This comprised 1,088 cases from January to April and 111 cases in May and June.  

In the same period, the Taskforce secured 5 court convictions and provided 41 referrals, 24 reintegrations, 374 health services, 118 legal services, 65 safety services, 15 survivor empowerments, 65 counselling services and made 24 arrests.

Mgbaja identified lack of funds, security concerns, cultural barriers and absence of a functional shelter for survivors as key challenges. She called for increased government funding, a stronger referral system, regular stakeholder engagement and expansion of empowerment programmes for survivors.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministries of Women Affairs, Justice and Health, National Human Rights Commission, NAPTIP, Police, partner CSOs including the Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Centre, and the media.