By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The rising tide of violence against women and girls (VAWG) once again came under the spotlight in Anambra State, as stakeholders, students, and development partners gathered for a two-day recalibrating workshop organized by Women Aid Collective (WACOL), in partnership with Ford Foundation, for the primary purpose of uprooting harmful cultural practices, confronting gender-based violence head-on, and promoting positive masculinity and healthy relationships for a better society.
Held at Don Ritz Hotel in Awka, the Anambra State capital, the capacity-strengthening workshop, which ran from Monday to Tuesday, drew participants from ministries, departments, agencies, academia, civil society, security agencies, the media, and selected secondary schools across the state.
The first day focused on building institutional capacity to strategically prevent and respond to gender-based violence and harmful practices through effective implementation of relevant extant laws; while the second day zeroed in on young men and male students, engaging them in conversations about masculinity, gender roles, and respectful relationships.
Addressing the participants on Monday, the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, described the initiative as “a call to conscience,” urging Nigerians to move beyond mere rhetoric to concrete strategies. Represented by Hon. Mini Ifeoma Azikiwe, member for Onitsha North I Constituency, the Speaker described violence against women as one of the most pervasive but under-addressed human rights violations, stressing that its prevalence not only dehumanizes women but also undermines societal progress.
He commended Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo for creating an environment that supports gender equality, women empowerment, and social protection, noting that the Assembly is committed not only to passing progressive laws but also to ensuring enforcement, accountability, and robust partnerships with civil society and other development partners in tackling violence and harmful practices.
Earlier in her remarks, WACOL’s Program Manager, Mrs. Aṅulika Ezennia, speaking on behalf of the organization’s Founding Director, Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo (SAN), explained that WACOL, since its founding in 1997, has championed the cause of women and youth through legal aid, advocacy, education, and development services. She said the workshop was part of a broader vision to build a democratic society free from violence and abuse, where the rights of women and girls are respected in law and practice.
According to her, the charitable organization aims at a society where women, girls, and young people can live without fear of violence or discrimination, where men embrace healthy masculinity, and where cultural practices that harm are replaced with those that heal. She also appreciated the Ford Foundation for its sustained partnership in advancing this vision.
The well-attended workshop featured technical sessions led by legal experts, activists, and educators, beginning with Barr. Victor Obichukwu, who, in his presentation on “Connotations of Violence Against Women,” dissected the various forms of violence, linking them to structural patriarchy and cultural myths. He highlighted how VAWG exacerbates public health challenges such as HIV/AIDS and STIs, and debunked dangerous societal myths that normalize abuse.
Also speaking on “Prosecuting Cases of Violence Against Women and Girls,” Barr. Obichukwu emphasized the role of prosecutors, the Ministry of Justice, and allied agencies in ensuring justice. He further stressed the need for multi-sectoral collaboration between police, judiciary, civil society, and social workers, warning against the dangerous trend of out-of-court settlements in gender-based cases which, he said, perpetuates impunity and denies survivors justice.
In his own lecture, another legal luminary, Barr. Christian Okechukwu Ekweh, reviewed the legal framework undergirding anti-VAWG efforts in Nigeria. His presentation, which centered on “Existing Laws and Policies on Violence Against Women,” surveyed the various national laws, domestic policies, regional instruments and international conventions relevant to VAWG, and stressed that while many of these law exist on paper, the real challenge lies in harmonising them with practice.
He further harped on the need for coordinated prosecution, routine application of protective orders, and stronger inter-agency information-sharing to translate instruments into tangible safety for survivors of Violence Against Women/Girls (VAWG).
The highly interactive sessions also featured group activities and case studies, with participants brainstorming on innovative strategies to prevent violence, prosecute offenders, and promote community-wide awareness.
On the second day of the workshop, the spotlight shifted to male participants and secondary school students, who were taken through interactive sessions on masculinity, gender norms, and healthy relationships.
In his kick-off lecture, “Men, Boys, and Societal Gender Norms: Myths and Facts,” Mr. Francis Casmir Nwankwo challenged stereotypes that fuel toxic masculinity, and specifically warned against the dangers and consequences of males suppressing their emotions, simply because the societal stereotype that sees them as people who should be strong, enduring, and unemotional. On another angle of his presentation, he also used real-life illustrations to emphasize and enlighten the participants on respectful behaviour, allyship, and the responsibility of men to interrupt cycles of abuse.
Similarly speaking, Franklin Atogu Chike, in his own presentation “Understanding Objectification and Consent,” addressed victim-blaming, sexual harassment, and exploitation, underscoring the importance of consent and respect for women’s autonomy. He concluded by urging young men to challenge peer pressure and to see themselves as allies in the fight against gender violence.
The event was climaxed with the official inauguration of Boys United Against Violence Club, a peer-led initiative launched by WACOL to sustain the awareness and advocacy among young men. The club’s founding members, comprising male students from the workshop, committed to standing against violence, promoting healthy masculinity, and amplifying positive narratives about gender relations.
Graced by stakeholders, including the Permanent Secretary of the Anambra State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Uzoka, and Mrs. Ugochi Freeman of the Creative Minds Center for Youth and Community Development (Creative Minds-CYCD), the two-day workshop was described by participants as eye-opening, empowering, and timely given the reality of the society where patriarchal norms and the stereotypes that fuel toxic masculinity are still the order of the day.
More photos from the event:
