The sustained effort of the Edo State government to eradicate all forms of violence against persons, especially the vulnerable in the State, has received a boost from Women’s Health and Action Research Centre (WHARC), an indigenous Non-Governmental Organization (NGO).
Receiving officials of the organization, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, Mrs. Barbara Nekpen Osobajo, pledged Edo State Government’s readiness to partner with relevant stakeholders in the fight to eradicate or bring to the barest minimum, incidences of Gender-Based Violence in Edo State.
Mrs. J.I. Ihensekhien, the Director of Gender Issues in the Ministry, who represented the Permanent Secretary during the visit, expressed appreciation to WHARC for all they have been doing.
Mrs. Osobajo said the partnership with relevant stakeholders in the fight against gender-based violence aligns with the Ministry’s vision and assured that the State Government welcomes as many more partners as possible.
She further promised the organization of the Ministry’s support for all it is set to do in future.
Earlier, the Executive Director of WHARC and former Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wilson Imongan, expressed gratitude to the Permanent Secretary for the visit, which he described as an avenue for collaboration to fight all forms of Gender-Based Violence.
The former Commissioner described the fight as an uphill task which can only be surmounted through synergy among stakeholders in the State.
He highlighted some notable achievements of WHARC to include the advocacy for the ban of female genital mutilation and the provision of free medical care services for pregnant women and children below the age of five.
Dr. Imongan said WHARC has existed for over 30 years and appreciated the Ministry’s recognition of their visit.