DIWA Trains CSOs on Combating Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria
From Aisha Muhammed kudu Minna
As part of efforts to address social vices, the Development Initiative of West Africa (DIWA) has organised a three-day capacity-building training for civil society organisations (CSOs) to strengthen the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the country.
The training, themed “Strengthening Community-Driven Response to Gender-Based Violence.” with participants drawn from four North-Central states held in Abuja.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of DIWA, Daoda Kanneh, appreciated participants for their commitment, noting that the engagement reflects a shared recognition among stakeholders that GBV remains a critical challenge affecting individuals, families and communities across Nigeria and globally.
He stressed that despite ongoing efforts, there is a need for stronger coordination, enhanced capacity and more structured approaches to prevention.
Similarly, a Board Member of DIWA, Halima Buba, emphasised the importance of a collaborative institutional approach, noting that GBV is systemic and deeply rooted in social and gender norms.
The Project Officer, Habila Mohammed Kudu in an interview said the training would help reduce the impact of GBV at the community level.
According to him, “We are empowering civil society organisations to serve as gatekeepers and champions in addressing GBV,” he said.
A participant, Samuel Saidu Yisa from Community Action for Popular Participation, Niger State, said the training has equipped participants with knowledge on emerging trends in GBV, which he described as increasingly prevalent. He called for collective action to achieve meaningful results.
The CSOs where drown from Niger, Kogi, Benue, and Kwara States respectively.
