By Ukpa Ewa
The Gender Perspective and Social Development Center (GPSDC), with support from Women Aid Collective (WACOL), has trained Christian girls and female cultural youths in Anambra State on gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response.
The one-day training, held in Awka, brought together participants from Nibo in Awka South Local Government Area and Nkpor in Idemili North under a project promoting grassroots efforts to prevent and respond to GBV.
Speaking at the event, GPSDC Executive Director, Mrs Anekwe Eucharia, urged communities to establish temporary shelters for survivors and strengthen grassroots efforts to combat abuse. She encouraged the girls to understand their rights, speak up against intimidation and challenge harmful cultural practices.
GPSDC Programmes Manager, Oge Ozoemena, said the initiative aimed to strengthen participants’ knowledge, confidence, leadership and advocacy skills. She noted that the training also commemorated the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, celebrated on October 11.
In her presentation, “My Voice, My Agency: Girls as Agents of Change,” Dr Winnie Arinze, President of Umuada Igbo Cultural Women in Nigeria and Diaspora, Anambra State Chapter, urged participants to speak up and take an active role in decisions affecting their lives.
WACOL Legal Officer, Barr. Ifeyinwa Ofodile Nwafor, encouraged the girls to recognise their worth and resist attempts to undermine their confidence. Meanwhile, GPSDC Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Mr Christian Mmadubueze, urged them to use social media responsibly to raise awareness about GBV and promote positive change.
Participants, including Speaker of the Anambra State Children’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Victory Ekwunife, and Uzoamaka Ewulum, pledged to organise awareness campaigns in schools, churches and communities. They identified rape, child abuse, child labour and human trafficking among the issues requiring urgent attention.
The training featured practical presentations and the development of a GBV Prevention Action Plan to guide participants in addressing abuse in their communities.
Tags: Anambra News, Gender-Based Violence, Women Empowerment
