The Economic and Social Empowerment of Rural Communities (ESERC) officially launched its flagship project, “Breaking the Cycle of Gender-Based Violence: Survivor-Centered Services and Community Engagement in Enugu State,” during a press conference held on July 3, 2025.
The project is supported by the French Embassy Fund for Civil Society Organizations (FEF-OSC 2025) and marks a significant step toward strengthening the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV), improving survivor-centred services, and fostering safer communities across Enugu State.
The launch event brought together representatives of government institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, traditional and religious leaders, media organizations, and other key stakeholders committed to advancing gender equality and protecting the rights of women and girls.
During the press conference, ESERC unveiled its vision for implementing a comprehensive, community-driven approach to addressing gender-based violence. The project will focus on strengthening support systems for survivors, enhancing coordination among service providers, increasing public awareness, and engaging communities in challenging harmful gender norms that perpetuate violence.
Through strategic partnerships with government agencies, community leaders, civil society organizations, and the media, the initiative seeks to improve access to justice, psychosocial support, healthcare, and protection services for survivors while promoting prevention through education, advocacy, and community mobilization.
Speaking during the launch, ESERC reaffirmed its commitment to creating communities where women and girls can live free from violence, fear, and discrimination. The organization emphasized that sustainable change requires collective action, community ownership, and strong institutional collaboration.
ESERC expressed profound appreciation to the Embassy of France in Nigeria for its support through the French Embassy Fund for Civil Society Organizations (FEF-OSC). The organization also acknowledged the invaluable contributions of government partners, the media, community advocates, and all stakeholders whose collaboration will be instrumental to the successful implementation of the project.
The launch of this initiative represents more than the beginning of a new project—it signifies a renewed commitment to breaking the cycle of gender-based violence, strengthening survivor-centred responses, and building communities founded on dignity, equality, justice, and respect for human rights.
As implementation begins, ESERC remains dedicated to working alongside partners and communities to ensure that every survivor has access to the support they need and that every individual can contribute to creating a safer and more inclusive Enugu State.
