The Economic and Social Empowerment of Rural Communities (ESERC) marked a major milestone in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) with the official inauguration of the Enugu State Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Task Force on Monday, October 20, 2025.
The inauguration ceremony was performed by the Honourable Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Mrs. Ngozi Enih, who formally inaugurated the Task Force and reaffirmed the Enugu State Government’s commitment to protecting women, girls, and other vulnerable persons from all forms of violence and abuse.
Following the inauguration, members of the Task Force conducted elections to appoint key officers who will provide strategic leadership and coordinate the activities of the Task Force across the state.
The newly inaugurated Task Force comprises representatives from key government ministries, departments and agencies, civil society organizations, traditional institutions, faith-based organizations, security agencies, legal and health professionals, and community stakeholders. This multi-sectoral composition reflects a shared commitment to strengthening coordination, improving survivor-centred services, and enhancing accountability in the prevention and response to gender-based violence.
The establishment of the Task Force aims to strengthen referral pathways for survivors, improve collaboration among service providers, promote timely reporting and case management, support policy implementation, and ensure coordinated action against all forms of gender-based violence throughout Enugu State.
The inauguration forms part of the implementation of ESERC’s flagship project, “Breaking the Cycle of Gender-Based Violence: Survivor-Centered Services and Community Engagement in Enugu State,” with support from the French Embassy Fund for Civil Society Organizations (FEF-OSC 2025). The project seeks to strengthen institutional systems, empower communities, and build sustainable partnerships that improve protection services for survivors while preventing violence through advocacy and community engagement.
Speaking during the event, stakeholders emphasized that ending gender-based violence requires collective action and strong partnerships among government institutions, civil society, traditional leaders, and local communities. The inauguration of the Task Force represents a significant step toward building a coordinated, inclusive, and effective response system capable of addressing the complex challenges associated with gender-based violence.
ESERC expressed appreciation to the Embassy of France in Nigeria for its continued support through the French Embassy Fund for Civil Society Organizations (FEF-OSC), as well as to the Enugu State Government and all partners whose collaboration has made this important achievement possible.
With the inauguration of the Enugu State GBV Task Force, ESERC has helped establish a stronger and more coordinated platform for protecting survivors, preventing violence, promoting justice, and advancing gender equality across the state.
Together, we are building a safer Enugu State where every woman, girl, and vulnerable person can live in dignity, security, and hope.
